Wage negotiations between the National Bargaining Council and the clothing manufacturing industry have deadlocked, the labour department says.

"The Apparel Manufacturers of SA (Amsa) have sought an order to compel the National Bargaining Council to act on writs of execution that have been issued on non-compliant companies," department spokesman Page Boikanyo said in a statement.

"The controversy that surrounds the writs of execution has been on-going for some time and is now complicating relations between parties as well as the wage negotiation round that has started in the council."

Boikanyo said a conciliation process between the SA Clothing and Textile Workers' Union and Amsa would start on Wednesday.

The department would organise a meeting between the parties to discuss the deadlock, he said.

"While there are difficult challenges facing the clothing industry, the parties are urged to continue to seek a solution that protects jobs, while also acknowledging the obligation to comply with collective agreements and legislative obligations."