CCMA ANNUAL REPORT

Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Annual Report 2022/23

3.3. STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS The CCMA continued to manage its existing mutually beneficial partnerships with like-minded organisations through joint project delivery, aimed at resource sharing and integration in pursuit of coordinated efforts in serving the labour market more efficiently. This included the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ESC in line with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995, as amended) (LRA). During the 2022/23 financial year, the CCMA concluded a new partnership with the Conciliation Mediation & Arbitration Commission (CMAC) of Eswatini. The partnership with CMAC signifies the CCMA’s commitment to collaborate with its Southern African Development Community (SADC) counterparts for the enhancement of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework on the continent. In another partnership, the CCMA and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) concluded an Implementation Protocol (IP) for the utilisation of Labour Centres at a Provincial level for selected CCMA processes and activities. The move will further enhance the CCMA’s footprint and accessibility to its Users. Furthermore, the CCMA and the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) finalised their MOU aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998) (EEA) and commenced with the implementation of an approved action plan. 3.4. CHALLENGES FACED BY THE BOARD The CCMA continues to operate under conditions characterised by difficult financial circumstances and business constraints. The arbitration turnaround times are mostly contributed due to financial constraints - reducing the number of part-time Commissioners’ days and placing undue pressure on full-time Commissioners (Regional Senior Commissioners who has other responsibilities). 3.5. T HE STRATEGIC FOCUS OVER THE MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM PERIOD The complexity of the South African labour market, characterised by multiple parties with competing interests, attributing potential for industrial action has been a challenge for the CCMA. The CCMA, however, remains

instrumental in promoting orderly and healthy labour relations in the South African labour market. There has been a notable change in the behaviour of trade unions that have a history of rivalry and are now working together towards a common goal of resolving disputes. The 2023/24 financial year marks the fourth year of implementing the five (5)-year Strategy. The plan will continue to ensure that the CCMA delivers on its strategic focus and contribution to the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). The CCMA’s Governing Body is confident that through the 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan (APP), the strategic direction of the CCMA continues to be clear, and all efforts are geared towards carrying out the CCMA’s mandate. Furthermore, the planned interventions will enable the CCMA to meet its commitments and plans for efficient and effective dispute management, prevention and resolution institution. The trends suggest that labour market instability will affect some vulnerable sectors, such as the agricultural sector which is experiencing job shedding due to the economic fallout as brought on by load shedding blackouts, high inflation and growing inequality. The CCMA anticipates its caseload to grow in the 2023/24 financial year to 194 130. 3.6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/APPRECIATION The CCMA’s mandate to ensure labour market stability is an essential component of economic transformation and job creation. I am confident that with the combined efforts of the executive leadership team, the CCMA’s employees as well as the Governing Body, priority areas will be addressed, and the CCMA will continue along the path of becoming a world-class dispute institution. To the CCMA’s Users, strategic partners and stakeholders, thank you for your patience and partnership during the 2022/23 financial year. We remain ever resilient in delivering the mandate of the CCMA.

______________________________ PROF. ENOS SENISE NGUTSHANE CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BODY

15