Foreign nationals take up 2.8% of top leadership positions.
The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has expressed serious concerns about the sluggish pace of progress in implementing employment equity across various sectors.
During a briefing on Wednesday, the Department of Employment and Labour’s progress report, committee members noted that despite legislative efforts, transformation at the top management level remains notably slow.
Slow progress in top management
Based on 29 269 quality employment equity submissions covering a workforce of 7 699 665 employees during the 2024 reporting period, the report highlighted stark disparities in workforce composition at senior levels.
Whites continue to dominate top management positions, making up 61.1% of leadership roles nationally, while Africans represent just 18%, Indians 11.9%, and Coloureds 6.2%.
Foreign nationals account for 2.8% of top management positions.
The figures suggest a lack of significant movement towards equitable representation at senior levels, with several provinces showing stagnation.
In the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State, the proportion of White individuals in top management remains particularly high, at 56%, 54%, and 54%, respectively.
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Committee chairperson expresses disappointment
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, Boyce Maneli, criticised the failure of voluntary compliance to achieve meaningful transformation.
“The report vindicates our long-held view that voluntary compliance with employment equity provisions has not worked,” Maneli said.
However, he noted that the Employment Equity Amendment Act of 2022, specifically Section 15A, offers hope for more stringent enforcement.
The Act is designed to ensure that employment equity aligns with the Constitution and international labour standards, aiming for a fairer, more inclusive workforce.
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Foreign nationals
Maneli also emphasised the need to address the employment of foreign nationals within South Africa’s legal framework.
While acknowledging that certain sectors may require foreign skills, he stressed that the country’s unemployment crisis must take priority when filling semi-skilled and unskilled positions.
“With the highest number of unemployment, jobs at semi-skilled and unskilled levels must be given to South Africans, especially those who are registered on the unemployment database of the department,” said Maneli.
He also pointed out that employers hiring foreign nationals for scarce skills must demonstrate a skills transfer plan to ensure local workers benefit from these positions.
The committee will further explore the issue of foreign national employment in a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs and the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition.
