Industrial Conciliation Act

The Industrial Conciliation Act was passed in South Africa in 1924. This legislation was a direct response to the intense conflict between white trade unions and employers, particularly following the Rand Revolt of 1922. The act established new state structures designed to regulate industrial disputes.1

The broader context of this period, known as the Pact years (1924-1933), saw the Hertzog government strengthening South Africa's autonomy and implementing policies that protected white workers against Black competition. While these policies benefited some white workers, Black South Africans gained little and continued to face restricted mobility and diminished opportunities due to segregation. The Act aimed to manage labor relations within this framework of increasing segregation and racial tension.21