by Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate; and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney

On 10 July 2020 the Essential Services Committee (“ESC”) published a notice in terms of section 71, read with section 70(2)(a), of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (“LRA“) (“Notice“). In summary, the Notice provides as follows:

1. Notice is given that the ESC is in the process of conducting an investigation, in terms of section 71(B)(1)(d) of the LRA, as to whether the following services are essential: 
   1.1 Nutrition/ feeding services at schools;
   1.2 Laundry services in privately owned old age homes;
   1.3 Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry;
   1.4 Ports and Marine Services;
   1.5 Private Security Services; and
   1.6 Private Health Services.

2. Notice is given that an investigation, in terms of section 71(9) of the LRA, on the possible variation of the following designation as an essential service:
   2.1 Key Point Computer Systems.

3. The ESC will hear oral representations as follows:
   3.1 Date: 18 August 2020 in Johannesburg
   Venue: Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (“CCMA“) Offices, 28 Harrison Street, 8th floor
   Sector: Ports and Marine Services @ 10:00
   Private Health Services @ 10:00
   Private Security Services @ 12:00
   Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry @ 12:00
   Laundry services in privately owned old age homes @ 13:00
   Nutrition/ feeding services at schools @ 14:00
   Key Point Computer Systems @ 14:00
   
   3.2 Date: 19 August 2020 in Durban
   Venue: CCMA Offices, 275 Anton Lembede Street, Embassy House
   Sector: Ports and Marine Services @ 10:00
   Private Health Services @ 10:00
   Private Security Services @ 12:00
   Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry @ 12:00
   Laundry services in privately owned old age homes @ 13:00
   Nutrition/ feeding services at schools @ 14:00
   Key Point Computer Systems @ 14:00
   
   3.3 Date: 21 August 2020 in Cape Town
   Venue: CCMA Offices, 78 Darling Street
   Sector: Ports and Marine Services @ 10:00
   Private Health Services @ 10:00
   Private Security Services @ 12:00
   Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry @ 12:00
   Laundry services in privately owned old age homes @ 13:00
   Nutrition/ feeding services at schools @ 14:00
   Key Point Computer Systems @ 14:00
   
   3.4 Date: 24 August 2020 in Bloemfontein
   Venue: CCMA Offices, Cnr Elizabeth & West Burger Streets
   Sector: Ports and Marine Services @ 10:00
   Private Health Services @ 10:00
   Private Security Services @ 12:00
   Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry @ 12:00
   Laundry services in privately owned old age homes @ 13:00
   Nutrition/ feeding services at schools @ 14:00
   Key Point Computer Systems @ 14:00
   
   3.5 Date: 28 August 2020 in Port Elizabeth
   Venue: CCMA Offices, 97 Govan Mbeki Avenue
   Sector: Ports and Marine Services @ 10:00
   Private Health Services @ 10:00
   Private Security Services @ 12:00
   Maintenance Services in the Aviation industry @ 12:00
   Laundry services in privately owned old age homes @ 13:00
   Nutrition/ feeding services at schools @ 14:00
   Key Point Computer Systems @ 14:00

4. Any interested party requiring an opportunity to make oral representations must:
   4.1 Indicate its intention to do so, in writing, to the ESC on or before 03 August 2020 (to either SibusisoL@CCMA.org.za or to fax: 086 660 6132);
   4.2 State the nature of the interest in the investigation;
   4.3 State whether it relies or intends to rely on any expert evidence, and if so, provide a brief summary of that expert evidence; and
   4.4 Specify its address, telephone and telefax numbers and e-mail contact address.

The ESC will convene an information sharing session regarding the above investigations on the 24th of July 2020 @ 10:00 at the CCMA National Office 28 Harrison Street. Attendance at the session must be confirmed by no later than the 20th of July 2020 to SibusisoL@ccma.org.za.

The Notice may be accessed at: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202007/43514gen374.pdf.