Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - South Africa (Ratification: 1996)

The Committee notes the Government's first report, including the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, and the Labour Relations Act, Act No. 66 of 1995 attached thereto.

The Committee notes with satisfaction that further to the recommendations made by the Fact-finding and Conciliation Commission on Freedom of Association (see "Prelude to change: Industrial relations reform in South Africa", Official Bulletin, Special Supplement, 1992), the Labour Relations Act, 1995 constitutes a considerable improvement over the previous legislation. In particular, the Committee welcomes that the Labour Relations Act, 1995 has broad coverage, including civil servants and rural workers within its scope, and that it permits union pluralism and the right to strike. It also removes administrative interference in the internal affairs of trade unions, and provides for the simplification of the registration process.

The Committee is also addressing a request directly to the Government.