The Employment Equity Act (EEA) as an Instrument for Employment Equity in the South African Labor Market

Abstract

This paper seeks to critically examine the Employment Equity Act (EEA) as an instrument of achieving employment equity in post apartheid South Africa. Special emphasis will be placed on the policy of affirmative action. In this article we will attempt to illustrate how focusing on affirmative action and failure to implement policies could pose a threat to the achievement of equity in the South African labour industry. This paper was prepared by means of a literature survey wherein various previous literatures were interrogated including the actual Act in concern. In a nutshell it can be argued that the EEA as a piece of legislation has managed to augment equality in opportunities at the same time addressing the past imbalances. However there are concerns that affirmative action may pose a challenge as it is presented in discriminatory language and if handled carelessly may undermine merit, leading to disenfranchisement of deserving individuals. Another concern is that it could be used as a front by the political elite to harbor elements of corruption and nepotism to the disadvantage of the poor of the poorest amongst designated groups. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n9p578