LABOUR RELATIONS ACT 66 OF 1995
CHAPTER ONE PURPOSE, APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION
(ss 1-3)
1. Purpose of this Act
The purpose of this Act* is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and the democratisation of the work-place by fulfilling the primary objects of this Act, which are-
* An italicised word or phrase indicates that the word or phrase is defined in section 213 of this Act.
- to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights conferred by section 23 of the Constitution*
- to give effect to obligations incurred by the Republic as a member state of the International Labour Organisation;
- to provide a framework within which employees and their trade unions, employers and employers' organisations can-
- collectively bargain to determine wages, terms and conditions of employment and other matters of mutual interest; and
- formulate industrial policy; and
- to promote-
- orderly collective bargaining;
- collective bargaining at sectoral level;
- employee participation in decision-making in the work-place; and
- the effective resolution of labour disputes.
2. Exclusion from application of this Act
This Act does not apply to members of -
- the National Defence Force;
- the National Intelligence Agency; and
- the South African Secret Service.
3. Interpretation of this Act
Any person applying this Act must interpret its provisions-
- to give effect to its primary objects;
- in compliance with the Constitution; and
- in compliance with the public international law obligations of the republic