Racist using employment equity debate as a wedge against race harmony

6th May 2013

The debacle about the case involving the department of Correctional Service and employment equity has seen many sides. The complainants, who have a genuine question, is being assisted by the Solidariteit and the De Klerk foundation in their attempts to undermine Affirmative Action in principle. They are trying to turn the thing into a huge political event that is designed to drive a wedge between people, much like they operated under apartheid.

We are concerned about the manner in which the different views are being presented and how the matter is being politicised, by these rightwing organisations including sections of the media.

However what is being thrown up is the need for clarity on the question of whether National demographics should apply to National Government departments. As Cosatu we support the fact that the Courts should clarify that question for all private and public operations in future.

We are as COSATU very supportive of affirmative action and the need to achieve employment equity. We support the fact that generally Provincial demographics should be applied for companies operating in the Western Cape. We will ensure that Provincial demographics are applied in the Western Cape, by all of our unions where it obviously applies; any ambiguity must be clarified by the courts.  

We hope that this matter will soon be resolved and that those parties trying to seek political division from it will have their political agenda exposed.

Statement issued by COSATU Western Cape, May 6 2013

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