Slow transformation in the workplace a concern for minister

EMPLOYMENT and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has expressed concern at the slow pace of workplace transformation, saying the government will now be forced to resort to harsh measures to push for transformation.

Nxesi was speaking at the official launch and handover of the 19th Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) report at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) offices in Pretoria yesterday.

The report, titled “Transformation makes business sense”, showed that in top management, 65.5% of positions were occupied by the white group; followed by the African group, 15.1%; Indian group, 9.7%; coloured group, 5.3% and foreign nationals, 3.4%.

Nxesi said the amending of the Employment Equity (EE) Act would be fast-tracked.

He added that the department was prioritising increasing the number of inspectors, adding that those who did not comply with the laws of the country must face the music.

Nxesi said non-compliance had forced the commission, together with the department, to set equity targets.

“We are not just talking about a single solution, but a range of solutions to deal with problems in the economy and workplace,” said Nxesi.

A critical area of the EE Act amendment was the review of Section 53 that would require the issuing of an annual certificate of compliance to organisations doing business with the State and its organs.

Commission for Employment Equity chairperson, Tabea Kabinde, said at a broad level, the trends continued to paint a picture of a very slow, but steady pace of transformation, especially at the top four occupational levels.

She said it was critical for government and social partners to make transformation a shared objective.

The report also showed that transformation in terms of gender representation had also remained steady but slow.

Kabinde said the professionally qualified representation was interesting in than 40.2% of positions were occupied by the African group, followed by white population, 37.4%, Indian group, 9.4%, coloured group, 10% and foreign nationals, 3.0%.