And so it is round two for public comment on the revised EE Sector Targets as published on 01 February 2024.
The Employment Equity Act (55/1998) as amended: Draft Regulations on proposed Sectoral Numerical Targets (No. R.4295 Government Gazette No. 50058) now excludes reference to provincial and national targets, providing a target for each economic sector. Furthermore, it only makes reference to gender and “designated groups”. As such targets based on racial groups (African, Coloured, Indian) have been removed. It is important to remember that designated groups include [all] women and people with disabilities.
The new revised Regulations still focuses on top and senior management; professionally qualified and skilled levels. As with the previous regulations, for the lower two levels, semi-skilled and unskilled, a designated employer must refer to the EAP (Economically Active Population). One welcoming addition is the additional guidelines that have been included.
For further information please refer to this link to review the gazetted Draft Regulations.
All stakeholders have 90 days from publication date to review their relevant sector’s proposed targets and submit their comments and anticipated concerns.
We urge our clients and all designated employers being companies that employ 50 or more employees, to review the new sector targets in the Employment Equity Act (55/1998) as amended: Draft Regulations on proposed Sectoral Numerical Targets (No. R.4295 Government Gazette No. 50058) and submit their written comments via email to innocent.makwarela@labour.gov.za, christina.lehlokoa@labour.gov.za and julian.mohale@labour.gov.za.
So now we ask again – once all public comments have been received and considered; will this bill be passed in time before the next reporting period opens in September 2024? This in light of the fact that designated employers will need to draft new 5 year Plans incorporating the sector targets.
As always, you are welcome to contact us should you require insight, guidance or assistance with your Employment Equity implementation.
This may include changing and or drafting your new 5-year plan or just gaining a better understanding.
Perhaps you require refresher training for your Employment Equity Committees to recap on the last amendments in the Act which will come into effect once the Regulations are passed.
We also offer 2-hour Webinars to explore the Employment Equity landscape with your Employment Equity Committee, EXCO or MANCO.
We are also offering once again a free 30 min consult to any new and prospective clients to explore your current compliance and how we can assist.
We offer an integrated approach to transformation by ensuring that Employment Equity is supported by Skills Development Initiatives, which in turn supports your objectives in terms of B-BBEE [in reference to Management Control and Skills Development elements].
Our aim is to assist our clients not only in being compliant with the Act, but also to implement Employment Equity effectively within the organization, allowing for all employees to understand and support transformation initiatives.
Call us on tel. 0861 474 722 or email any of our senior consultants below:
Hannetjie@pendula.co.za National
Miranda@pendula.co.za Gauteng & Cape Town
Celeste2@pendula.co.za Gauteng & Cape Town
raeesa@bruniquel.co.za KZN Region & Richards Bay
