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Labour Relations and Human Resources Unit
The Labour Relations and Human Resources Unit was originally established as the Industrial Relations Unit in 1981 following the sponsorship at UPE of a Chair by Volkswagen of South Africa (Pty) Limited. The Company’s sponsorship recognized the pressing need for experience in the rapidly evolving field; especially in the Eastern Cape with its volatile labour history. The Unit was originally named the Industrial Relations Unit as its major focus was on industrial relations in the manufacturing sector.
In 1996 the name was altered to the Labour Relations and Human Resources Unit to reflect fundamental changes in the field. The mobilization of employees in the public and service sectors of the economy as well as the extension of rights to farm and domestic workers led to the term labour relations becoming more widely used and applicable. In addition human resources and labour relations management has become increasingly integrated and the divide between the disciplines of industrial relations and personnel management which occurred during the 1980’s is no longer as evident.
The Unit’s main activities center round: