/ 5 May 2003

Social dialogue led to fewer strikes in SA

The significant drop in the number of strikes in South Africa in the past year is in part a reflection of the success of labour legislation passed since 1994 that encourages the resolution of disputes through dialogue and discussion, Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana said on Monday.

A survey conducted by the Labour Department indicates that the number of industrial actions reported to the Department dropped by over 43% from 2001 to

2002 (83 down to 47).

It is estimated that workdays lost as a result of industrial action declined from 953 610 in 2001 to 615 723 to in 2002.

“The survey clearly indicates that our legislation of the labour market has enjoyed success in promoting managed flexibility. The process of engagement with social partners in drawing up legislation such as the amendments to the Labour Relations Act (LRA) is clearly a recipe for success,” the Minister said.

“Undoubtedly these trends of improved industrial peace and stability in our labour market will contribute to higher productivity and output growth in the economy. In the longer run, it will also contribute to improved investor confidence and employment creation,” he said.

Other findings of the survey show that: about 66 250 workers were reported to have taken part in industrial actions in 2002. This represents a decline from 90 392 workers reported in 2001.

A significant proportion of reported industrial actions were resolved through negotiations with 68,1% of employers and employees.

Wage demands still remain the primary reason for industrial action in 2002. About 44,7% of industrial actions were due to wage demands and issues around working conditions caused about 23,4% of these actions.

Most of the industrial actions took place in the wholesale and retail sector and the community, social and personal services sector. Both accounted for about 47% of all industrial actions reported to the Department in 2002.

Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape were the leading provinces in the terms of the number of reported industrial actions in 2002. Combined, they accounted for about 69% of all the industrial actions.

“These statistics show the strides that have been made in promoting stable and sound labour relation in South Africa. This is made possible by the cooperation and willingness of social partners (labour and business) to negotiate and engage in the processes of social dialogue as encouraged in our LRA,” Mdladlana added.

“The cooperative relationship is also facilitated by the contribution and intervention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Even though the figures in the report will not reflect the interventions by the CCMA in the resolution of industrial actions, it should be noted that there has been a valuable contribution by the Commission through its Dispute Prevention Programme.” – I-Net-Bridge