12 October 2007
It is in the interests of employers to comply with Employment Equity laws to
avoid denting their own reputations, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has
warned.
He was speaking at a meeting with representatives of Business Unity South
Africa in Johannesburg today (Fri).
"The consequences of failure to comply are grim. I have no option but to
take non-complying employers to court," he said.
Referring to the case of six major companies currently under the
Director-General's review, the Minister announced that only Comair has still
not complied with the provisions of employment equity. Five others have since
followed the department's recommendations and have recorded great
improvements.
"In the case of Comair, I am informed that they say consulting with workers
is a burden. I would not like to take them to court, but the lack of efforts on
their side to comply leaves me with no option," the Minister said.
Minister Mdladlana also revealed that 33 other companies would be reviewed
this year. He urged employers to involve workers in drafting Employment Equity
Plans and their implementations.
Enquiries:
Name: Zolisa Sigabi
Telephone: 0829063878
Email: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
12 October 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
