UNIT 4
CHAPER 1 : INTRODUCTION TO LABOUR LAW & THE SOURCES OF LABOUR
LAW
• Labour law = part of the law that deals with the tri-partite relationship between the
state, capital (employers) and labour (employees).
• Labour law = an important branch of the law as it regulates the activity of working,
which is a central part of most people’s lives.
o Some people are employees and simultaneously act on behalf of their
employers
Labour law directly impacts on thr daily
• Labour law is influenced by: lives of nearly every person in the
o Social factors country, and indirectly influences the
o Economic factors lives of every person irrespective of
o Financial factors their position or age
o Political factors
• Relationship between employer and employee = based on the employment contract
The 5 fairness mechanisms imposed on the contract to protect employees:
1. Provision for minimum conditions of employment à the Basic Conditions of
Employment Act (BCEA)
2. Provision for collective bargaining in terms of which employees may act together (in
trade unions) in order to bargain from a stronger position for better wages and
employment conditions
3. Protection against unfair dismissal. à The Labour Relations Act (LRA) provides that
the employer may not dismiss the employee merely by giving notice.
• The employer must have a valid reason and must follow a fair procedure
before the dismissal will be regarded as fair.
4. Protection against unfair labour practices à The LRA also provides that the
employer may not act unfairly in respect of aspects of the employment relationship
not concerning dismissal (so-called unfair labour practices)
5. Protection against discrimination. à The Employment Equity Act (EEA) prohibits
unfair discrimination on arbitrary grounds such as race, sec etc. and ensures equal
opportunities for all by making provision for affirmative action.
, In 2018, legislation was enacted to establish a national minimum wage, which is also an
example of a fairness mechansism introduces into the employment relationship through
means of legislation.
à This brings fairness to the employment relationship of individual low-earning and
unskilled employees AND is also aimed at contributing to the achievement of
social justice, more generally
INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE LABOUR LAW
à Individual labour law deals with rules concerning the “individual relationship between an
employer and an individual employee.
o A contact of employment (for example) is concluded on an individual basis and is
terminated on an individual basis.
à Collective labour law deals with the “collective” relationship between collective entities
o An employer and a trade union (which acts on behalf of a number of employees),
or,
o Between one or more employers and one or more unions
o Matters such as collective bargaining, strikes and lockouts form part of collective
labour law.
à The rules of individual and collective labour law often interact and impact on one
another.
LABOUR LAW AND LABOUR RELATIONS
à “Labour relations” refers to the relationship between employers and employees
à “Law law” refers to the legal rules that govern these relationships
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller juliayates19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.83. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.