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Update on the Introduction of Sectoral Targets under the Employment Equity Act Amendments

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Update on the Introduction of Sectoral Targets under the Employment Equity Act Amendments

The amendments to the Employment Equity Act came into effect on 1 January 2025. A key change introduced by these amendments is the implementation of sectoral numerical targets aimed at ensuring the equitable representation of historically disadvantaged groups based on race, gender, and disability.

17 Feb 2025 1 min read Employment Law Alert Article

The Department of Employment and Labour is currently conducting public consultations with stakeholders across each of the 18 national economic sectors regarding the proposed ministerial sectoral targets for each sector. Sector-specific stakeholder consultations on the final sectoral targets will be completed by 19 February 2025, with written representations by stakeholders to be submitted no later than 22 February 2025.

During these consultation sessions, the following key updates were provided:

Publication of New Employment Equity Regulations

Two sets of new Employment Equity Regulations will be published by March 2025:

  • General administrative regulations, covering matters such as employment equity plans, enforcement tools, and the employment equity certificate of compliance template.
  • Regulations on the five-year sectoral numerical targets, outlining the targets for each sector.

Obligations for Designated Employers

  • Designated employers (those with 50 or more employees) will have until 31 August 2025 to conduct a workplace analysis and develop new employment equity plans in alignment with the amended legislation and the final published five-year sectoral targets.
  • The 2025 reporting period will run from 1 September 2025 to 15 January 2026.

Assessment of Compliance with Sectoral Targets

  • The first assessment of a designated employer’s annual goals in relation to the five-year sectoral targets will commence with the 2026 reporting period (from 1 September 2026 to 15 January 2027).

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