Mail & Guardian reports that the cash-strapped Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has warned that “political party labour desks” pose a threat to the work of the statutory dispute resolution body.
Last month, Democratic Alliance MP Michael Bagraim asked in a parliamentary question why the CCMA had identified civil society organisations, which includedpolitical parties, as a threat in its annual performance plan. Tthe minister of employment and labour, Thulas Nxesi, replied: “The CCMA has noticed an emerging trend where political parties with established labour desks/advice offices are representing parties in CCMA processes. This trend is likely to continue as worker representativity across various workplaces is declining with vulnerable workers seeking or forming new associations to assist them.” He said the CCMA was concerned that the participation of civil society organisations in its processes might be viewed as political interference. This posed a risk to the commission’s perceived objectivity and independence. The CCMA gave a similar answer, adding that there had been a growing trend of organised civil society groups, advice offices and workers’ committees representing workers, using the CCMA’s rule 25. Rule 25 provides that a worker may be represented by a legal practitioner, a fellow employee or a trade union official in an arbitration hearing, but rule 25(6) allows a worker to apply for alternative representation. CCMA director Cameron Morajane reported that the commission had received accounts of disruptive behaviour by representatives in or near hearing venues. “The CCMA needs to be alive and sensitive to the changing dynamics and new role players in the labour market, who are not necessarily highly skilled in labour relations, and be pro-active as to equip them with the required knowledge and skills through training initiatives. This will mitigate the risk of instability in the labour market and ensure that the independence and relevance of the CCMA is maintained,” Morajane said.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sarah Smit at Mail & Guardian (paywall access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page