South Africa needs jobs, investment and opportunity—not more racial regulation of the workplace. Government’s draft Employment Equity Code requires designated employers to measure their workforces by race, gender and disability and use demographic and sector targets when setting employment goals. It even says employers should avoid perpetuating the “over-representation” of groups that exceed applicable demographic benchmarks.
While the Code says these measures must not become quotas or absolute barriers, Free SA is concerned that racial targets will continue to influence who gets opportunities in the workplace. South Africans should not be defined by race when looking for work, building a career or growing a business.
Key concerns
Race remains central
Employers must measure representation using racial categories and demographic targets.
Targets risk becoming barriers
Numerical targets must never operate as racial quotas in practice.
Opportunity must matter
Skills, qualifications, experience and suitability for the job must remain meaningful considerations.
Jobs must come first
Regulation should not make it harder for businesses to grow, invest and employ South Africans.
FREE SA is calling for employment rules that fight unfair discrimination without making race the overriding measure of workplace progress.
We want clear protections against racial quotas and absolute barriers, fair consideration of every individual, and employment policies that promote opportunity, growth and job creation for all South Africans.
Government has invited the public to comment. This is your opportunity to speak.
Whether you are an employee, jobseeker, business owner, manager, professional or simply a South African concerned about the country’s future, these rules could influence the workplaces and economy we all depend on. Free SA makes it easy to participate. Complete the submission below and add your voice to the public participation process.
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