In determining the sector employment equity (EE) targets, various factors were taken into account, including those raised in the sector stakeholder submissions, an EE workshop was told.

Department of Employment and Labour Deputy Director: Employment Equity, Masilo Lefika said the setting of EE targets was not done in vain, but an outcome of an intensive consultation process and written submissions done by sector stakeholders that “were used to inform sector EE targets".

The empowerment of Employment and Labour Minister in setting of sector targets to achieve equity in workplaces is one of the amendments of the EE Act. The EE Regulations are proposing the sub-division of sectors into 18.

Lefika was addressing today in Mbombela (Nelspruit) a joint Departmental and CCMA 2023 Employment Equity national workshop held at Mercure Hotel.

He said some of the key factors used in determining EE targets included but not limited to: national and the provincial Economically Active Population (EAP) stats as provided by StatsSA in terms of Section 42 of the EE Act; the various Sector Charters & Sector Codes published under Broad-based Black  Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act; 2022 EE workforce profile status of each economic sector as reported by designated employers in their 2022 EE Reports; and unique sector dynamics (e.g. skills availability, economic and market forces, ownership, etc) raised by sector stakeholders – hence different sector EE targets are proposed.

The objective of the 2023 EE workshops is to create awareness on the recently promulgated EE amendments, sector targets and regulations; reflect on EE impact in labour market; demonstration of online EE system to incorporate the amendments and generate certificates of compliance; presentation of the CCMA's case law on EE; reporting on EE and the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Annual Report launch outcomes.

Lefika was speaking during the Employment Equity national workshop held under the theme: “Real transformation makes business sense". 

“EE is not about discrimination, but seek to address the country's diversity. We need to work together to embrace this piece of legislation," Lefika pleaded. He said it seems as if transformation is elusive.

“We cannot continue to amend legislation in perpetuity. At some point we need to pause and reflect," he said.

The national series workshops/roadshows started on 18 July 2023 in Thohoyandou and will now end in September 2023.  The workshops are now entering a final stretch.

The remaining EE workshops with venues to-be-confirmed will be held as follows:

Eastern Cape

• Gqeberha (22 August 2023)
• East London (23 August 2023)
• Mthatha (24 August 2023)

Free State

• Welkom (22 August 2023) 
• Bloemfontein (23 August 2023) 

KwaZulu-Natal

• Durban (29 August 2023)

Western Cape

• Cape Town (13 September 2023) – Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa 1 Lagoon Gate Drive, Lagoon Beach
  
  The EE workshops are targeted at Employers or Heads of organisations, Academics, Assigned Senior Managers, Consultative forum members, Human Resource Practitioners, Trade Unions, employees and other interested stakeholders.
  
  The national workshops are held from 10:00am to 14:00pm and members of the media are invited.
  
  More information on EE workshops will be available on various Department of Employment and Labour's social media platforms and the Department's website www.labour.gov.za – which will also provide updates on schedules and venues.
  
  For media enquiries:
  
  Teboho Thejane
  
  Departmental Spokesperson
  
  082 697 0694/ Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za
  
   
  
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  Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
  
   
  
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