Collective agreements : a comparative study between Belgium and South Africa

Abstract

This dissertation analyses, in a comparative perspective collective agreements entered into in Belgium and in South Africa in the private sector. It is divided into three parts: Belgian law, South African law and a comparative perspective. Each part adopts the same format: it comprises a historical survey, a description of the parties to collective agreements, the forums in which collective bargaining takes place and an analysis of collective agreements, focusing on the nature of their binding force. Because Belgian law prohibits agency shop and closed shop agreements, on the basis of the freedom of association, no reference has been made to these agreements, even though they are permitted in South Africa and are regarded as collective agreements. This dissertation does not deal with collective agreements entered into to regulate terms and conditions of employment in the public sector as state employees in Belgium are excluded from the scope of labour law and have their employment relationship governed by administrative law