Affirmative action progress poor – Muheua

THIRTEEN years after affirmative action legislation was implemented, it still leaves much to be desired.

According to the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Alphäus Muheua, ‘the level of progress towards a diverse, equitable and a gender and racially balanced workforce’ remains poor despite the Affirmative Action Act of 1998.He expressed dissatisfaction about the Employment Equity Commission’s 2010/2011 annual report in which it emerged that ‘the top echelon of many employers’ workforce composition, especially in the private sector, remains proportionally skewed in favour of white employees’.Muheua said the ministry welcomes it that those who break the law face the music. ‘It is absolutely important that employers are made to realise that the violation or disregard of the law has serious penal consequences.’During the period ending March 31 2011, a total of 64 employers were reported to have appeared in court following charges of non-compliance with the law. Muheua made the remarks in the National Assembly yesterday morning when he announced the names of the new Employment Equity Commission members.The previous commission’s term lapsed on March 31.Of these nominees, four are Government employees, Joyce Mukubi, Veno Kauaria, Annel Endjala and Elizabeth Gideon; two trade union representatives, Moses Shiikwa and Ujama Kaahangoro; two representing employers, Terence Makari and Ramona Wittsack and also two each on behalf of women, Rosalia Ndakola, people with disabilities, Gerson Mutendere and Merria Clara Thomas and racially disadvantaged people, Natangwe Paulus Ithete and Gert Jansen.Responding to a question by Nudo MP Arnold Tjihuiko about who the nominated racially disadvantaged Ithete and Jansen are, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare said: ‘I thought it was a most obvious situation. They are racially disadvantaged Namibians. You can come to me if you want to find out and I’ll show you. They look like me and you.’