The CCMA can be a scary place for employers and navigating disputes alone can be challenging. Business owners must comply with labour laws and regulations, and the legalities are not always a business owner’s forte.
Organisations are encouraged to turn to service providers like Phakisa to ensure their employment standards follow the labour laws. Phakisa complies with employment laws and regulations so that you enjoy their compliance by association.
The CCMA
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is a South African dispute resolution body established by the Labour Relations Act, No. 66 of 1995. Its primary function is to provide a fast, efficient, and cost-effective means of resolving disputes between employers and employees.
Promoting Labour Peace
The CCMA is designed to promote labour peace and stability in the workplace. It provides a forum where parties can engage in conciliation and mediation efforts to resolve disputes rather than resorting to more costly and time-consuming legal proceedings. If these efforts fail, the CCMA may refer the matter to arbitration, where a neutral third party, known as an arbitrator, will hear the evidence and decide on the dispute.
Employment Equity
The CCMA has jurisdiction over a wide range of disputes, including unfair dismissal, unfair labour practices, disputes over retrenchments, disputes over the interpretation or application of collective agreements, disputes over the adjustment of conditions of employment, disputes over the payment of compensation for occupational injuries or diseases, and disputes over employment equity.
The CCMA operates through a network of regional offices throughout South Africa, making it accessible to employees and employers in all parts of the country. The CCMA’s services are free of charge to both parties, and either party doesn’t need to be represented by an attorney or a trade union.
The CCMA is well-regarded for its expertise, impartiality, and efficiency in resolving labour disputes. The process is informal, and parties are encouraged to represent themselves, though they may be represented by an attorney or trade union if they so choose. The CCMA’s goal is to reach a mutually acceptable resolution in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Phakisa’s Role
Phakisa’s legal experts are here to guide you past the major pitfalls you face when employing people in South Africa.
Customers enjoy peace of mind because they implement the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, all registered Bargaining Council Main Agreements and the Labour Relations Act to the letter of the law.
Phakisa leverages intimate knowledge of the labour law to avoid unnecessary disruptions caused by frivolous litigation.
Need to know more? Reach out to Phakisa.
