Commission For Conciliation, Mediation And Arbitration

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is a statutory dispute-resolution body established under South Africa's Labour Relations Act of 1995. Its mandate is to promote labour peace and social justice by resolving workplace disputes through conciliation, arbitration and facilitation. The CCMA has jurisdiction over unfair dismissal claims, unfair labour practice disputes and organisational rights matters, providing an accessible alternative to the Labour Court for most employees and employers. It operates independently and is funded by the State, with offices in all nine provinces. Commissioners are appointed to hear cases and issue binding arbitration awards where conciliation fails. The CCMA handles hundreds of thousands of cases each year, making it a central pillar of South Africa's labour-relations framework. Parties may refer disputes within strict time limits, typically 30 days for dismissals and 90 days for unfair labour practices. Awards and rulings can be taken on review to the Labour Court if a party alleges procedural irregularity or a defect on the face of the record. The commission also offers training and advisory services to employers, unions and employees. Since its establishment, the CCMA has played a key role in reducing the backlog of labour disputes and ensuring that workers have recourse without prohibitive legal costs.