8 August 2006
The workplace of 50 years ago which was male-dominated, with women only
regarded as good for the kitchen is no more.
The leading role that women play in the shaping of our economy reflects the
changes in our labour legislation that the government has introduced since
democracy.
On behalf of my Department, I would like to align myself with, and pay
tribute to those invisible mothers and young women in the remotest areas of our
country, who even today continue to encounter the injustices of unfair and
abusive labour practices.
I want to commit all of us to upholding the spirit of our Employment Equity,
Labour Relation and Basic Conditions of Employment Acts to assure the most
vulnerable workers that through our collective efforts, we have already
overcome.
As we speak, officials from my Department are embarking on employment equity
inspections in the Free State to ensure that gender imbalances in the workplace
are corrected.
Enquiries: Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
8 August 2006
