Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
{{Short description|Labour disputes tribunal in South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use South African English|date = February 2024}}
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is an independent tribunal which adjudicates labour disputes in South Africa. It was established in November 1996 in terms of Section 112 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995, which in turn implements the labour rights provided for in section 23 of the Constitution of South Africa.{{Cite journal |last=Bernikow |first=Ronald |date=2007 |title=Ten years of the CCMA – An assessment for labour |url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ldd/article/view/137908 |journal=Law, Democracy & Development |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=13–24 |issn=2077-4907}}{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.ccma.org.za/about-us/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=CCMA}}
Although it has other mandatory and discretionary functions, the CCMA is best known for its role in the resolution of labour disputes; it has been referred over 3.8 million such disputes since 1996. The dispute resolution function was intended to minimise recourse to litigation,{{Cite journal |last=Benjamin |first=Paul |date=2009 |title=Conciliation, Arbitration and Enforcement: The CCMA's Achievements and Challenges |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/iljuta30&id=34&div=&collection= |journal=Industrial Law Journal |volume=30 |pages=26}} and observers credit it with having "brought statutory dispute resolution within reach of the ordinary worker".{{Cite journal |last=Ferreira |first=G. |date=2004 |title=The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration: its effectiveness in dispute resolution in labour relations: review article |journal=Politeia |volume=23 |pages=73–85|s2cid=56067096 }}{{Cite journal |last=Bendeman |first=H |date=2007-10-18 |title=An analysis of the problems of the Labour Dispute Resolution System in South Africa |url=http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajcr/article/view/39399 |journal=African Journal on Conflict Resolution |volume=6 |issue=1 |doi=10.4314/ajcr.v6i1.39399 |issn=1562-6997}} A mediation and collective bargaining department was established in 2007.
CCMA determinations may be reviewed in the Labour Court of South Africa.