The legislation would give the CCMA the "authority to adjudicate whether to grant minority unions organisational rights in the workplace," labour spokesman Musa Zondi said, according to Business Report

Under current legislation, only majority unions -- defined as 50 percent plus 1 -- are recognised and may approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

Labour department collective bargaining chief director Thembinkosi Mkalipi briefed Parliament's labour portfolio committee on the changes on Tuesday.

"These changes would be good for the economy, industrial relations, and, above all, comply with the country's Constitution," he said.

"In no way are these proposals diluting the rights of majority trade unions. All we are saying is that the CCMA can adjudicate and grant the minority union[s] access to the workplace."