CCMA

The CCMA in Johannesburg handles labour disputes through a process that's formal enough to matter but designed not to require a lawyer—though plenty of people bring one anyway. A dismissed worker filing an unfair dismissal claim, a wage dispute, or a contract disagreement goes through conciliation first: a mediator tries to find common ground between employee and employer. If that fails, arbitration follows, with an arbitrator making a binding decision. The whole system depends on proper documentation, clear communication of what the dispute actually is, and understanding that deadlines matter—you can't simply pitch up two years after dismissal. Johannesburg's size means the CCMA processes hundreds of cases monthly, so patience and clear paperwork aren't optional extras.