New chair for CCMA body

Johannesburg - Labour lawyer Tanya Cohen has been appointed chairperson of the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration's (CCMA) governing body.

Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana announced on Thursday she would take up the position with immediate effect.

Cohen had been serving as interim chairperson of the governing body since 2008, the CCMA said in a statement.

This was after the departure of previous chairperson Zwelibanzi Mntambo.

Prior to Cohen's appointment as interim chairperson she was serving as a CCMA governing body-organised business representative for five years.

The CCMA described her as "an active member in the labour market where she represents business on a variety of labour market and broader socio-economic matters".

Her work experience included a 12-year career at Woolworths in employee relations, government engagement and human resources during which time she worked as part-time CCMA commissioner.

Cohen was also a member of a variety of Business Unity South Africa negotiating teams at Nedlac.

She holds a Masters Degree in labour law and is a practising attorney specialising in labour market policy engagement.

Cohen also serves as a director of the Retail Association.

CCMA director Nerine Kahn and CCMA social partners welcomed Cohen's appointment and believed she was well-placed to guide the body, especially in furthering its five-year strategy to promote social justice.

- Sapa