Employment Equity Amendment Act doing more harm than good

THE Employment Equity Amendment Act signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa is a draconian piece of legislation that will do more harm than good. While the aim is to promote diversity and equality in the workplace, it will effectively impact all minority communities, further alienating them from the governing party.

At a time when the country is plagued with high unemployment and a massive skills drain, this law is not only unconstitutional, but an unnecessary burden on businesses and jobseekers. Its implementation will cause employers to prioritise race over qualifications, potentially leading to less skilled individuals being hired for certain roles.

The act will also disproportionately affect non-designated South African groups, including coloured, Indian and white communities. This will widen the divide between minority communities and the ANC.

It is concerning that the ANC is so obsessed with racial quotas almost 30 years into democracy. South Africans want efficient service delivery and equal opportunities based on merit, not skin colour. The sooner the ANC realises this, the better.

It is time for the governing party to listen to the voices of the people and address pressing issues, including unemployment, skills development and service delivery. The government needs to prioritise the creation of job opportunities for all, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Instead of creating more legislation that will further divide us, we need policies that unite us as a nation.

This act is yet another smokescreen by the governing party. It seeks to shift emphasis away from a failed state by creating further racial divisions and tensions.

VISVIN REDDY

ADeC leader