When applying s198 of the LRA, what is the content of the so-called ‘second fiction’ recently identified by the labour court in Chep SA (Pty) Ltd v Shardlow NO and Others (2019) 30 SALLR 169 (LC)?
Chep SA adopted the following approach: s198A(3)(b) is said to be the ‘gateway’ to s198A(5), which provides for ‘deemed employees’ to be treated no less favourably than the deemed employer’s directly engaged or permanent employees. In order to access both their s198A(3)(b) right to be deemed permanent, and their 198A(5) right to be treated no less favourably than other employees, a worker must be working for a TES. This fiction was referred to in this judgment as the second fiction created by s198.
