Ideology of racial representation is legally and morally bankrupt - Solidarity

The ideology of racial representation is legally and morally bankrupt, trade union Solidarity said today in a presentation to the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour regarding the proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Act. According to Solidarity, representativeness is nothing more than a social engineering programme that is contrary to the law, as it amounts to quotas.

Solidarity spokesperson Johan Kruger said the output based numerical approach to affirmative action does not respect South Africa's rich cultural diversity; instead, it tries to make the country look the same everywhere. ‘This policy results in absolute ceilings being applied to minorities should they, according to the national racial demographics, be overrepresented anywhere. This approach has nothing to do with corrective action anymore, but everything with race. The person is taken out of affirmative action and replaced with statistical calculations.'

Kruger said the current law requires a number of factors to be taken into account when an employer's compliance with the law is determined. These include the following: the available pool of people with suitable qualifications; economic and financial factors; the sector in which the employer does business; availability of vacant posts; and staff turnover. ‘Despite fierce criticism of identical suggestions in the previous amendment bill, the new amendment bill also proposes to remove these terms and those not removed, need not necessarily be taken into account in future.  The amendments will enable the government to enforce the national racial demographics and disregard unique regional differences. Sections 42 (2) and 42 (3) of the new amendment bill, will permit the minister of labour to issue regulations that could force any designated employer to ensure that his workforce is a reflection of the national racial demographics at every level and in every workplace.'

Kruger said Solidarity suggested an alternative affirmative action model at its presentation that emphasised the training and development of the designated group. ‘According to this, the focus of affirmative action is at primary school level. As the education system improves, more skills will become available and the workforce will become more representative. When more and improved skills are available, it would lead to an economic boost that would lead to growth and job opportunities. Inequality, poverty and unemployment are consequently addressed.'

Solidarity once again requested a parliamentary and national debate on affirmative action and that the outcome should be a new national consensus in this regard.  

Statement issued by Johan Kruger, Spokesperson: Solidarity, August 8 2013

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