PRETORIA - The Democratic Alliance has responded to criticism of their recent court case against the Department of Labour.
The DA has filed papers at the High Court in Pretoria.
It's challenging the constitutionality of the Employment Equity Amendment Act.
The act changes introduce sector-specific hiring quotas.
⚖️ Stay informed about the latest updates to the Code of Good Practice on Dismissal and recent Labour Law Amendments.
📌 Swipe through the infographics below for essential facts and updates.#GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/iW3dcZs1szSouth African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 5, 2025
A statement released by the Department of Labour read, "The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has noted with dismay, the Democratic Alliance (DA) stance against transformation by challenging the amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, introduced by the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022. This move is a clear attempt to reverse the progress made since 1994 and maintain the unfair status quo."
Challenging the Employment Equity Amendments: The DA's Anti- Transformation Stancehttps://t.co/SH2PtyHLy9#Yazini #ServicedeliveryZA #GovZAUpdates #WorkersMonth pic.twitter.com/VmdZdkdI6M
— Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) May 5, 2025
The Department of Labour said, "'unlike rigid mandatory quotas, which must be achieved at all costs, the Amendment Act introduces flexible employment equity targets."
"Designated employers can set their annual numerical targets in their employment equity plans, which must comply with sectoral targets. However, employers can justify their failure to meet these targets on reasonable grounds."
The DA announced they would be briefing the media on the motivations for their case, saying the party believes in merit.
📸 The DA will brief the media on our High Court case against racial quotas threatening fair access to jobs. We believe in merit, not race-based exclusion. Every South African deserves a fair shot at opportunity!
🎥 Watch live at 13h30: https://t.co/ZKuIOH5idT#DApresser pic.twitter.com/K1zcfmzoG1— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 5, 2025
DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said high unemployment and sluggish economic growth is an indicator that progress in the labour sector has not taken place.
On International Worker's Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, "I would say to them they must go read our Constitution very clearly and very carefully."
[WATCH]
"I would say to them they must go read.."
President Cyril Ramaphosa on GNU partner, DA taking the Minister of Employment and Labour to court over the the Employment Equity Amendment Act. @eNCA pic.twitter.com/don2d21Udy— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) May 1, 2025