APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) An amended employment equity law that aims to close the racial economic gap in South Africa has divided opinion in a country known to have one of the world’s most unequal societies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in April assented to the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which sets out “equity targets” to accelerate racial equality in the business sector.
The Act requires all companies with more than 50 employees to submit equity plans reflecting the demographics of the region they operated in and how they intended to achieve them.
Two of South Africa’s most powerful unions have thrown their weight behind the law while the opposition Democratic Alliance thinks the legislation is unfair.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said they supported the law as it would correct past wrongs in the country’s employment practices.
COSATU parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said the law was an amendment to an existing law that has been around since 1998 and the changes sought “to strengthen it and adjust it here and there.”
“We should be saying maybe we can make a better effort for our companies to reflect the diversity of our population groups,” Parks said on Friday.
SAFTU general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the opposition to the law was “largely based on misinformation and lies.”
Vavi said the opponents of the changes were telling the so-called minorities that the law is going to make them lose jobs.
“There is no such thing,” he said.
The DA is, however, not convinced of the real intentions of the bill, leading it to challenge what it termed “race quotas” in the legislation.
“We deserve a government that prioritises economic growth and equal opportunities for all,” the party tweeted, describing the bill as a “catastrophe” of the African National Congress’ failed policies.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said his ministry was willing to engage with members of the public who are concerned about the act.
NM/jn/APA