Employment Equity

Are we still on target?

Authors

  • Barend Röges Odendaal Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss4.127

Abstract

The Employment Equity Act, 1998, Act 55 of 1998 was created in order to bring about a paradigm shift in South Africa’s labour relations, transforming it into a system based on equality. This change in the political life of all South Africans has brought about huge challenges to employers and employees alike. Seen as a threat to some, others view it as a positive beacon. If the Act was correctly implemented, South Africa will be heading towards a better competitive market and the workforce should be equally representative of the population. This paper aims to illustrate whether the Act has achieved its goals over the past 13 years by means of analysis and assessment of reports and statistical reviews. An overview is offered in the form of a literature review of the Act and defining the current legislation thereof in conjunction with management theory. The paper challenges the perceptions of all South Africans and finding possible solutions to areas in which the Act has failed. The paper further proposes action steps for the effective implementation of the legislation and for the process to follow to ensure that is fair in the sense that all employees can compete on equal terms.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adam, K. 2000. Affirmative action and popular perceptions: The case of South Africa. Society. January/February 2000.Vol.37. Issue 2. p.48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02686191

Barker, F.S and Holtzhauzen, M.M.E. 1996. South African labour glossary. Juta & Co., Cape Town.

Barker, F.S. 1999. The South African labour market. 3rd edition. Van Schaik, Pretoria.

Brynard, P.A and Hanekom, S.X. 1997. Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines. 1st edition, J.L van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria.

Faundez, J. 1994. Affirmative action: International perspectives. ILO report, Geneva.

Gerber, P.D; Nel, P.S and Van Dyk, P.S. 1998. Human resources management. 4th edition. International Thomson Publishing. Halfway House, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Goldstone, RJ. 1989. Affirmative action, Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University.

Harvey, D.F and Brown, D.R. 1996. An experiential approach to organization development, 5th edition, Prentice-Hall, U.S.A.

Herbert, T. 1994. Affirmative action in the South African work place. 1st edition. Salty Print, Salt River.

(http://www.info.gov.za/documents/constitution) [assessed on 5 April 2011]

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu [assessed on 12 April 2011]

http://www.southafrica. info [assessed on 10 April 2011]

Human, L. 1993. Affirmative action and the development of people. 1st edition. Juta & Co., Kenwyn.

Israelstam, I. 1999. Why affirmative action and how to make it work for our businesses. People Dynamics. 17(5), May, 40 –42.

Joubert, D. 1993. Affirmative action – creating social harmonisation, Human Resource Management, 9 (5) 22 -23.

Khoza, R. 1986. Challenges facing African leadership, Business in Africa, URL: http://www.businessinafrica.net/thoughtleadership.

Madi, P.M. 1993. Affirmative action in corporate South Africa. 1st edition. Juta & Co., Kenwyn.

Maphai, V.T. 1993. One phrase, two distinct concepts. Die Suid-Afrikaan, May/June, no. 44, pp 6 –8.

Marshall F.R.; King A.G. and Briggs C.M., 1980, Labour economics: wages, employment and trade unionism, Homewood, Illinois.

Nzimande, B and Sikhosana, M. 1996. Affirmative action and transformation. Indicator Press. Durban

Qunta, C. 1995. Who’s afraid of affirmative action: A survival guide for Black professionals. National Book Printers. 1st edition. Cape Town.

South Africa (Republic). 1996. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108, 1996. Pretoria: Government Printer.

South Africa (Republic). 1998. Employment Equity Act, Act 55, 1998. Pretoria: Government Printer.

South Africa (Republic). 1995. Labour Relations Act, Act 66, 1995. Pretoria: Government Printer.

South African Law Commission. 1989. Project 58: Group and Human Rights, South African Law Commission. Pretoria.

Stone, P. 1991. Cape Town City Council Industrial Relations audit: Equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programmes. Andrew Levy and Associates, Johannesburg.

The Economist. 1999. Race law and poverty in the new South Africa. Volume 353 (8139), 2 October, 47.

Thomas, A. and Robertshaw, D. 1999. Achieving employment equity: A guide to effective strategies. 1st edition. Knowledge Resources, Pinetown.

Downloads

Published

2013-12-01

How to Cite

Odendaal, B. R. (2013). Employment Equity: Are we still on target?. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 1(4), 69-83. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss4.127