/ 4 March 2007

Mdladlana: Affirmative-action here to stay

Affirmative action policies will never be ruled out in South Africa, the Labour Minister said on Saturday.

”Contrary to Parliamentary calls by opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), affirmative action and current employment equity legislation would never be repealed but would be intensified instead,” Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said.

He was speaking at the annual Ndebele King Silamba commemoration in Pretoria on Saturday.

DA member of Parliament Mark Lowe called for the scrapping of affirmative action during a debate on job creation and globalisation in Parliament this week.

Lowe cited that there was a lack of qualified artisans in the country because of the policy.

He said Mdladlana should announce a complete rethink of legislation regarding employment equity.

The United Party of South Africa, the Freedom Front Plus and the Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi also supported the call to scrap the law.

Mdladlana said affirmative action laws were not meant to discriminate against any race group but were aimed at redressing the imbalances of the past.

”Liberation should be accompanied by programmes to improve the quality of life of the poor by totally eradicating the apartheid legacy and empower people with skills for better opportunities.”

He said it was incorrect for anyone to suggest that ”we only affirm those who voted us into power”.

South Africa is the only country that affirms the majority of people, he added.

Reacting to Mdladlana’s announcement, FF Plus spokesperson Willie Spies said the minister did not only reaffirm his reputation as one of the ”ANC’s most hardened racists”, but also displayed his disregard to international labour law principles.

”International labour literature is clear that affirmative action is a form of discrimination which can only apply temporarily.

”It is therefore a pity that Mdladlana displays such an indifferent attitude towards a contentious issue such as affirmative action.”

Spies said his party would sharpen its campaign in Parliament to broaden the definition of ”designated group” in the Employment Equity Act to include all youth born after a certain date.

Trade union Solidarity said Mdladlana should choose between his presidency of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and his latest pronouncement on affirmative action.

”Mdladlana’s stance that affirmative action policies will never be ruled out in South Africa is a direct contravention of the ILO’s definition and resolution of affirmative,” said spokesperson Dirk Hermann.

The ILO’s resolution and definition of affirmative action is that it must be of a temporary nature.

”One can’t be president of an organisation and at the same time contravene its resolutions.

”The ILO should admonish Mdladlana on his undemocratic pronouncement,” said Hermann. – Sapa