25 August 2006
Following a week of successful blitz inspections in the Free State a
fortnight ago, the labour departmentâs employment equity inspectors will be
setting their sight on financial institutions in the Gauteng North region next
week.
Between 28 August and 1 September the officials will be scrutinising the
financial sector including major banking institutions and insurance companies
with 50 or more employees or those with a R10 million annual turnover on their
progress in the implementation of the Employment Equity Act (EEA)
regulations.
The blitz assessments will be targeting designated employers in the
Pretoria, Krugersdorp and Randfontein areas.
According to the departmentâs Gauteng North Executive Manager, Esther
Tloane, the law enforcement would specifically look at gender, race and
disability in the workplace.
âSince the legislation was promulgated in 1999, employers have had the
opportunity to prepare and implement their equity plans. These plans must
clearly state their affirmative action plan and annual objectives. However,
this time around we are only cracking-down on financial institutions in the
province,â she said.
Among the aspects of the regulations that the blitz will be focusing on is
whether employers have submitted their equity reports as per the deadline; the
existence of representative employment equity forums at their workplace; levels
of awareness among employees on equity matters and employersâ general
compliance.
The Employment Equity Act applies to all sectors including government
departments with the exception of the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the South African Secret
Services which are exempted from complying.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
25 August 2006
