Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
10 June 2023 | 12:41 CAT

Image: BusinessLIVE

Trade union Solidarity and around 30 other organisations signed a resolution, committing to a legal challenge against the proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Act. Political parties, including the DA, Freedom Front Plus and ActionSA, as well as opinion makers and other organisations, attended the workshop during which the resolution was signed.

The amended act, which received President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval on April 14, incorporates section 15A that grants the employment and labour minister authority to establish numerical targets for sectors or sub-sectors in consultation with relevant sectors and the advice of the Commission for Employment Equity.

Solidarity said it had researched the potential impact of the proposed amendments and argued that they could harm the job market.

The union’s study suggests that the amendments may result in the displacement of numerous minority workers from their current positions.

Additionally, Solidarity claims the government’s approach to drafting the legislation needs to be a more careful consideration, citing evidence to support its concerns.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Solidarity’s Connie Mulder said the act empowers the minister to determine quotas that specify the particular demographic composition designated employers must achieve on pain of severe penalties. The quota to meet national sectors for coloured and Indian South Africans is set at 0.0% and 0.1%.

“The ANC, from our perspective has placed divorce papers on minorities, telling them we do not want you in the labour market or the economy and we’re going to make it as difficult as possible to advance in your career or get employment,” says Mulder.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.