Conciliation Proceedings: No Show For The Respondent!

Conciliation is a crucial stage of resolving labour-related issues in a speedily and cost-effective manner, especially for the benefit of the parties, but more importantly, the vulnerable employees' sector of our society. The Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995 (the LRA), created the CCMA as a statutory body to provide informal and straightforward processes for dispute resolution. In terms of section 115 of the LRA, the CCMA is empowered to makes rules to regulate the consequences of a party's failure to attend conciliation or arbitration proceedings.

This article will explore the contrast the consequences of party's failure to attend Conciliation proceedings and how some Respondent (mostly employers) are disregarding the Conciliation process by their failure or refusal to appear during the Conciliation proceedings.