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The nature, consequences and practical implementation of regulating equity in the workplace

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Growth, Employment and Redistribution strategy (GEAR) has not been
successful in bringing about growth in the South African economy as planned.
The biggest failure of GEAR has however been the fact that employment levels
have continued to drop since its implementation. Unemployment levels, as well
as the scales and levels of employment are furthermore still dramatically skewed
in favour of the previously advantaged, namely white men. That group, is
however, still the most highly skilled in our economy. AIDS may furthermore
have a dramatic impact on the labour force in South Africa.
Studies show that the reduction of inequality in society is a way of promoting
economic growth. The upgrading of skills, improving access to jobs, occupations,
training and promotion opportunities advance all members of the workforce and
makes it possible for them to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. On a
wider scale, the elimination of discrimination raises economic efficiency
throughout the economy by ensuring a more rational allocation of labour
resources. By increasing the pool of skilled and qualified employees and
improving labour market mobility, economic efficiency is enhanced. Given this, it
seems that a move to employment equity is the only manner in which the ailing
South African economy can be addressed. The legislative framework to serve as the foundation for equity in the workplace
is complete. Through the application of the Labour Relations Act (No 66 of 1995)
(LRA) and the Basic Conditions Employment Act (BCEA) equitable collective
bargaining processes and equitable treatment of employees can be obtained.
The Employment Equity Act (No 55 of 1998) not only prohibits discrimination, but
actually set up a framework within which affirmative action can take place. The
process of transforming the profile of the labour force will, however, not be
complete (or successful) if it is not accompanied by a programme to change the
skills structure within South Africa. The Skills Development Act (No 97 of 1998)
aims to distribute the necessary skills to previously disadvantaged groups in
order to empower them to hold jobs at higher levels. If used correctly, this
legislative framework will not only transform South African workplaces, but will
also bring about much needed societal change.
The transformation process at UPE, resulting in the Employment Equity Plan
as well as the Policy on the Promotion of Equality, Diversity and Elimination
of Unfair Discrimination has been transparent and inclusive in nature. The
process and the resulting documents can serve as basis for other tertiary
institutions to bring about the required change. Given the solid research and
consultation that went into formulating the plan and policy, it is to be hoped that
this plan will be consistently implemented and the success constantly monitored. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: GEAR was nie so suksesvol as wat verwag is om groter groei vir die Suid-
Afrikaanse ekonomie mee te bring nie. Die grootste mislukking van GEAR was
egter die feit dat werkloosheid steeds toeneem. Werkloosheidvlakke, sowel as
die verdiensteskale en die vlakke van diensverrigting in Suid-Afrika is verder ook
dramaties oneweredig ten gunste van blanke mans. Hierdie groep is egter steeds
die groep met die beste vaardighede in Suid-Afrika. Vigs mag ook nog verder 'n
dramatiese impak op die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmag hê.
Navorsing vertoon dat die vermindering van ongelykheid binne die gemeenskap
ekonomiese groei kan meebring. Dit is omdat beter opleiding en verbeterde
toegang tot werksgeleenthede, opleiding en bevordering al die werknemers
begunstig en sodoende dit moontlik maak vir hulle om met maksimale
produktiwiteit en effektiwiteit hulle dagtaak te verrig. Op 'n breër vlak kan die
verwydering van diskriminasie tot verbeterde ekonomiese effektiwiteit in die
ekonomie deur 'n meer rasionele verdeling van arbeidsvaardighede lei. Indien 'n
groter groep kundiges geskep word kan die ganse ekonomiese groei verbeter
word. Om hierdie rede is billike arbeidspraktyke die enigste manier waarop die
kwynende Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie herstel kan word.
Die wetgewende raamwerk waarbinne billikheid in die arbeidsmag gereguleer
word, is voltooi. Deur die toepassing van beide, die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge (Nr 66 van 1965) en die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes (Nr 55 van 1998)
word billike kollektiewe bedinging en billike hantering van werknemers by die
werkplek verseker. Die Wet met betrekking tot Billikheid ten opsigte van
Indiensneming verbied nie net diskriminasie nie, maar stel 'n raamwerk daar
waarbinne regstellende aksie kan geskied. Die proses van transformasie van die
arbeidsmag sal egter nie volledig (of suksesvol) kan wees indien dit nie gepaard
gaan met 'n program waardeur die vaardigheidstruktuur in Suid-Afrika verander
word nie. Die Vaardighede Ontwikkelingswet (Nr 97 van 1998) poog om die
nodige vaardighede aan voorheen agtergeblewe groepe te versprei om hulle
sodoende te bemagtig om arbeid op 'n hoër vlak te kan verrig. Indien hierdie
wetgewende raamwerk goed gebruik word sal dit nie net organisasies verander
nie, maar lei tot 'n verandering binne die breë gemeenskap.
Die proses van transformasie by UPE wat gelei het tot die daarstelling van 'n
Plan vir Billike Indiensneming sowel as 'n Beleid vir die Bevordering van
Gelykheid en Diversifikasie en die Verwydering van Onbillike Diskriminasie
was deursigtig en inklusief van aard. Die proses en die beleid kan as basis dien
vir ander tersiêre instellings om die nodige verandering mee te bring. Gegewe
die navorsing en konsultasie waarmee die daarstelling van die plan en
beleidsdokument gepaard gegaan het, sal die plan hopelik konsekwent toegepas
en die sukses daarvan deurlopend geëvalueer word.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51999
Date12 1900
CreatorsSchwellnus, Teresa
ContributorsBendix, W., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format269 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

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