South African mediators say new laws will help resolve strikes faster

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's main agency for settling labour disputes voiced confidence on Monday that it now has more leverage to bring an early end to strikes like those that dragged on for months last year, undermining economic growth.

Nerine Kahn, director of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), told reporters the agency can now use "social pressure" from those affected by the strike, such as industry rivals and bodies, as a reason to bring disputing parties back to the negotiating table.