Office of Registrar of Labour Relations open as Registrar begins a new five-year term
02 July 2025

The Office of Registrar of Labour Registrar wants to intensify its efforts on non-compliance, so that members of labour organisations are better served.

This was said by Advocate Lehlohonolo Daniel Molefe, who has recently been designated as the Registrar of Labour Relations for another five years.

Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth has announced that Molefe has once again been designated as the Registrar of Labour Relations. The designation is effective from 17 April 2025 until 16 April 2030 (five years).

Molefe was first designated as the Registrar of Labour Relations in 2018 for two years and this was later extended in 2020.

Commenting on his experience and observations of the designation that had just ended, Molefe said: “My experience over the period and observation is that there is still a lot of work to be done - as the Registrar's Office plays an important role in the labour market".

The designation of Registrar is made in terms of section 108(1) of the Labour Relations Act (LRA). The purpose of LRA is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and the democratisation of the workplace.

Molefe said despite the vigilance of the office of Registrar of Labour Relations, “we are dealing with a lot of non- compliance from registered trade union and employers organisations".

The Registrar's key responsibilities include:

  • Facilitate establishment of bargaining councils/Statutory Councils
  • Register labour organisations
  • Eradicate non-genuine organisations
  • Ensure compliance of labour organizations with legal requirements
  • Deal with court case emanating from any decision of the Registrar
  • Processing and submitting sector determinations for consideration by the Nedlac Demarcation Committee.
  • Receipt, checking and following-up on financial statements of councils
  • Annually report to the Minister on representation of bargaining councils.

    Currently, Molefe said there were 207 trade unions; 144 employer(s) organisations; and 46 councils registered with the office of the Registrar.

    He noted that there was a proliferation of unions due to people not happy with the unions' services. Molefe also did not want to dwell on legal matters handled by the office, saying these remain sub judice.

    His message to stakeholders is: “the Registrar's office is a public office and members of the public are free to engage the office as and when the need arises".

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Teboho Thejane

    Departmental Spokesperson

    082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

    -ENDS-

    Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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