15 March 2007
The government would never overlook qualifying South Africans in preference
of foreign skills in its ongoing economic transformation drive, Labour Minister
Membathisi Mdladlana said on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question in Parliament, Minister Mdladlana said
while the government was not considering a moratorium on Affirmative Action to
ease skills shortages, South Africans of all races, black and white, would
always come first.
"Please be assured that while government is trying to address disparities of
the past and transform our economy, all South African citizens, black and
white, are its first priority. If we cannot acquire the skills or the necessary
experience required locally, for example engineers, then only should we look
elsewhere. Employers and citizens must remain vigilant in order to ensure that
this happens," he said.
Minister Mdladlana pointed out that the Employment Equity Act placed no
absolute barriers and that Affirmative Action was a positive measure whose main
intention was not to exclude but bring on board those who had been marginalised
in the past.
"However, although the government acknowledges that there may be a shortage
of skills in certain areas; this should not always be used as an excuse by
employers for not training and employing people from designated groups. We must
always remember to grow our own crop," he said.
These could be achieved if all employers took advantage of the levies that
they were contributing in terms of the Skills Development Levies Act to train
and develop people, especially those from the designated groups.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
15 March 2007
