Revamp company structures

KEETMANSHOOP – Managerial positions at most of the companies and institutions registered with the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) are still widely white-male dominated.

The Deputy Director of the EEC Othniel Podewiltz here made this remark on Thursday. Podewiltz said there is a great need to empower designated groups that were previously disadvantaged by the colonial apartheid system.He then expressed concern about the fact many companies have not yet submitted their yearly reports.This has forced the EEC to embark upon extensive regional visits to inform relevant stakeholders about their social responsibilities.Currently, there are only about 350 relevant employers registered with the EEC.A relevant employer is anybody or organisation employing more than 50 people.Podewiltz expressed concern about the fact that some companies are reducing their workforce to below 50 in order not to be scrutinised by the EEC.He, however, said there is legislation in the pipeline to reduce the number of employees of a relevant employer from 50 to 25.Another concern raised by the deputy director is the fact that local courts have so far failed to hold any relevant employer responsible despite the fact that the commission has submitted 155 charges with the Namibian Police since 2000 when the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act of 1998 became law.According to the 2004/05 annual report of the EEC, ‘the representation of the previously disadvantaged and women improved as one moves from top senior positions down to the bottom levels of employment.’ The report noted, “The latest data collected revealed that persons with disabilities represent a mere 0,7 per cent of the total workforce ad their position, is to the Commission, a matter of grave concern.”The commission already visited the west and is expected to pay a visit to the north this week.- NampaPodewiltz said there is a great need to empower designated groups that were previously disadvantaged by the colonial apartheid system.He then expressed concern about the fact many companies have not yet submitted their yearly reports.This has forced the EEC to embark upon extensive regional visits to inform relevant stakeholders about their social responsibilities.Currently, there are only about 350 relevant employers registered with the EEC.A relevant employer is anybody or organisation employing more than 50 people.Podewiltz expressed concern about the fact that some companies are reducing their workforce to below 50 in order not to be scrutinised by the EEC.He, however, said there is legislation in the pipeline to reduce the number of employees of a relevant employer from 50 to 25.Another concern raised by the deputy director is the fact that local courts have so far failed to hold any relevant employer responsible despite the fact that the commission has submitted 155 charges with the Namibian Police since 2000 when the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act of 1998 became law.According to the 2004/05 annual report of the EEC, ‘the representation of the previously disadvantaged and women improved as one moves from top senior positions down to the bottom levels of employment.’ The report noted, “The latest data collected revealed that persons with disabilities represent a mere 0,7 per cent of the total workforce ad their position, is to the Commission, a matter of grave concern.”The commission already visited the west and is expected to pay a visit to the north this week.- Nampa