Only 34% of companies inspected in 2024 complied with Employment Equity Act, says Labour Dept
The Employment Equity Act was designed to eliminate unfair discrimination and promote equity in the workplace.
Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth / X: @deptoflabour
CAPE TOWN - The Department of Employment and Labour has found that only 34% of companies inspected in 2024 comply with the Employment Equity Act.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth revealed this in a written parliamentary reply.
She said that some of the over 2,000 workplaces that failed to comply after their notices had expired were also referred for prosecution.
The Employment Equity Act was designed to eliminate unfair discrimination and promote equity in the workplace.
The law also promotes fair treatment for all employees, including affirmative action measures for designated groups.
However, Meth told Parliament that for the 2023/24 financial year, 3,152 workplaces were inspected to test compliance with the Employment Equity Act.
She said that only 1,082 (34%) of those were compliant, while 2,070 (66%) were not compliant.
"All the non-compliant workplaces were issued with notices. Two hundred and ten workplaces that failed to comply after notices had expired were referred for prosecution," said Meth.
The minister said that in the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, 2,375 workplaces were inspected where only 35% were found to be compliant and 65% were found to be non-compliant.
But Meth said due to the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, the department was unable to provide details of the different workplaces and companies.