Question NW1127 to the Minister of Employment and Labour
17 May 2021 - NW1127
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
With respect to the second item on the list of external stakeholder's threats on page 46 of the Annual Performance Plan of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for 2021-22, (a) who are the civil society organisations that the CCMA is referring to and (b) what are the reasons that the CCMA perceives them as posing a threat to its independence?
Reply:
a) The CCMA has noticed an emerging trend where political parties with established labour desks/advice offices are representing parties in CCMA processes, making use of the expanded representation provision as per CCMA Rule 25(6). 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.
b) The participation of political parties in CCMA processes may be perceived as political interference by the public, posing a risk to the perceived objectivity and independence of the CCMA