Employment equity: ANC slams DA’s ‘crude race politics’ claims

In a fervent response to recent allegations, the African National Congress (ANC) vehemently denied the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) claim that the ruling party is stoking the fires of racial tension through new employment laws.

On Monday, the DA said it’s unconstitutional of the ANC to encourage legislation prohibiting the employment of specific racial groups in certain provinces and sectors.

This has been met with outright indignation by the ANC, and the party dismissed the DA’s allegations as “propaganda”.

New employment laws

The ANC asserts that such policies would fly in the face of the very spirit of their party and their commitment to the National Democratic Revolution, which seeks to democratise society across all levels, including the labor market.

According to the ANC, the pursuit of a non-racial and just society has always been at the heart of their liberation movement.

The transformation of the labour market into a non-racial space is, as they claim, a crucial element of the National Democratic Revolution.

Racial scaremongering

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ANC called on political parties to abandon the use of race politics as a tool for scaremongering.

Instead, the party said opposing parties should confront and reverse racial denialism.

The party said it firmly believes in the principles outlined in the Constitution and the Freedom Charter.

DA’s damning allegations

The DA’s criticism came in the wake of the recent publication of draft regulations for the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEA).

The opposition party expressed its horror at the proposed regulations, particularly the quotas seemingly aimed at groups defined as “coloured males”, “coloured females”, “Indian males” and “Indian females”.

According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, these quotas pose a significant and immediate threat to the social fabric of South Africa.

Sectors and provinces impacted

The implications of these regulations are that certain companies operating in specific regions of the country would be prohibited from employing individuals from these groups in particular positions.

The DA further pointed out that the “targets” for coloured employees in provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West are set at 0.0%.

The act would thus effectively ban these groups from employment in sectors like agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, finance, arts, and science.

Solidarity’s response

Earlier this month, trade union Solidarity served President Cyril Ramaphosa with a summons on the act, arguing its unconstitutionality.

Dirk Hermann from Solidarity called the government’s use of race to control the workplace unacceptable.

“The level at which the government wants to normalise discrimination in the workplace is shocking. The government wants to impose race targets that all employers in the country will have to meet,”

Hermann said.

READ: ‘Equal law for all’ – Solidarity targets govt in BEE legal challenge