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BusinessTech reports that trade union Solidarity says it will approach the courts to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa in contempt of court if he does not withdraw the recently published employment equity regulations.
According to the trade union, the state is in breach of a settlement agreement signed in 2023 and Ramaphosa, as head of state, represents the government in the matter. Solidarity and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) signed a ‘historic’ settlement agreement on 28 June 2023, establishing clear boundaries for employment equity laws. The agreement stemmed from a mediation process that started after Solidarity filed a complaint with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) against the SA government. This was over the “rigid” application of affirmative action in SA. The ILO recommended that the CCMA should facilitate the dispute and what resulted was the agreement signed by Solidarity and the DEL. It included specific criteria that needed to be taken into account when applying the laws. According to Solidarity, the final regulations that have now come into effect only include some of these provisions, with others left out. Solidarity Chief Executive Dr Dirk Hermann said that the state had proven to be an unreliable partner. “It is worrying that the sections that were omitted, among other things, stipulate that no one may be fired based on race laws, that race laws must be temporary, and that skills and the inherent requirements of the job must be taken into account,” he pointed out. In addition to the contempt of court case, Solidarity said it would also challenge the rationality and legality of the regulations in court. Solidarity will also once again approach the ILO to file a complaint against the government for breaching an agreement facilitated by the organisation.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessTech
- Lees ook, Raswette: Ramaphosa minag hof, sê Solidariteit, by Maroela Media
- En, Rasgebaseerde teikens vererger die ekonomiese krisis, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page