2023 Employment Equity Amendments and 2025 EEA Regulations Guideline

On 14 April 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 into law (Amendment Act). This act amends the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA). The effective date is 1 January 2025. On 15 April 2025, the Minister of Employment and Labour (Minister) repealed the Employment Equity Regulations of 2014 and, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Employment Equity Act, 1998, published the Employment Equity Regulations, 2025. In addition, in terms of Sections 15A(1) and (2) of the Act, the Minister published a notice identifying national economic sectors and determining the applicable sectoral numerical targets (together referred to as the 2025 Regulations). The 2025 Regulations are effective from 15 April 2025.