The First Line of Defense: Conciliation Proceedings

Section 18 allows either an employer or a trade union to report a dispute to the Director General. The Director General is then tasked with taking all necessary steps to promote an "expeditious settlement." This process is designed to be accessible and focuses on bringing parties together to find common ground.

Section 19B restricts the legal representation allowed in these proceedings; specifically, parties cannot be represented by advocates or solicitors during the conciliation phase. This ensures that the focus remains on direct negotiation and industrial relations rather than legal technicalities, providing a faster path to resolving workplace tensions.