FF PLUS QUESTIONS EMPLOYMENT EQUITY COMMISSION'S EMPHASIS ON TRANSFORMATION IN TOP MANAGEMENT

The Freedom Front Plus, in reaction to the Commission for Employment Equity's (CEE) annual report for 2010/2011 which was discussed in the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour today, criticised the commission because its annual report had only focused on the employment targets of the top and senior management levels of the private sector.

"This is becoming an old tune as the commission only focuses on these levels' lack of transformation every year. The Minister of Labour acknowledged in a reply to a written question submitted by the FF Plus in Parliament that black people are over-represented on the two lowest employment levels in the public sector and that white people and Indian people are under-represented," Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus' parliamentary spokesperson on Labour said.

The FF Plus questioned the CEE as to steps that will be taken to have more white and Indian people appointed on the two lowest employment levels - unskilled and semi-skilled levels. The chairperson of the commission indicated that they also encourage employers to appoint white people on these two levels and that the presentation of the 2010/2011 annual report is not a reflection of the one-sidedness of its policy.

"The FF Plus is however of the opinion that the commission has an obsession with the top management levels given the fact that the presentation of the report had only dealt with those levels. The majority of jobs are created at the two lowest employment levels and that is why the commission should see to it that the state gets its house in order by correcting the imbalances in its midst before the state becomes prescriptive toward the private sector," Alberts added.

The FF Plus also stated it clearly that transformation cannot be placed ahead of the general interest of the country. Shoddy service delivery by the state is directly relatable to the lack of skills resulting from affirmative action. The commission should therefore also give consideration to the creation of opportunities to re-employ white expertise that have been lost due to affirmative action in an attempt to stop poor service delivery.

Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus Parliamentary Spokesperson: Labour, October 25 2011

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