Trade union Solidarity has submitted comprehensive comments against the race-based quotas proposed in the regulations of the Employment Equity Amendment Act. 

The proposed regulations were published by Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi and opened for comments on May 12.

Solidarity labelled the proposed regulations as unlawful and irrational, and spurned what it deems to be government’s attempt to exert its influence over the affairs of private businesses.

The organisation asserted that the amendments do more to promote unfair discrimination at all levels of the labour market rather than to curtail it.

“These proposed regulations are nothing less than a quota system in the workplace that legalises gross discrimination. Solidarity, with about 30 other organisations, has already signed a resolution to oppose and fight these regulations,” the organisation opined.

A mass evacuation of jobs has been cited by Solidarity’s Research Institute. They further opined that an exodus of skilled and experienced labour may be a result of these regulations.

“The ANC’s calculations simply do not make sense. Apart from the fact that this race practice is downright unlawful, it is practically not implementable. According to these regulations several sectors will have to realise extraordinary growth before mass racial appointments can be made in an attempt to reach the said targets. We reject the government’s quota system in its entirety,” the organisation said.

Solidarity alluded to approaching the courts should the Minister refuse to heed opposition to the Act.