Changes to AA law

THE National Assembly yesterday passed technical amendments to the Affirmative Action Act of 1998, providing for more than one review officer to handle company affirmative action reports and the delegation of power, duties and functions from the Employment Equity Commissioner to other officers.

Other amendments include that companies must consult the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) over the compilation of three-year affirmative action plans. According to Labour Minister Alfeus Naruseb, who tabled the amendments last week, there was confusion between the reports and plans that businesses have to submit.The report must be handed in every year and requires consultations with EEC officials.”It was reported by the EEC that employers so far claimed they were not obliged by law to consult the Commission on the AA reports, but only on the plans.”Section 45 was amended to the effect that any person belonging to a “designated group” (union) can bring to the attention of the EEC a dispute between workers and their employer.Under the existing Act of 1998, only employees could do that.According to Labour Minister Alfeus Naruseb, who tabled the amendments last week, there was confusion between the reports and plans that businesses have to submit.The report must be handed in every year and requires consultations with EEC officials.”It was reported by the EEC that employers so far claimed they were not obliged by law to consult the Commission on the AA reports, but only on the plans.”Section 45 was amended to the effect that any person belonging to a “designated group” (union) can bring to the attention of the EEC a dispute between workers and their employer.Under the existing Act of 1998, only employees could do that.