Latest news with #AmendmentAct
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Back-to-back protests against the Waqf Act
Two major demonstrations are scheduled on consecutive days in Hyderabad to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 The first protest, scheduled for May 31, is being organised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), a collaborative effort of socio-religious groups such as Tehreek Muslim Shabban, and political figures including Amjed Ullah Khan, the spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek. Members of the Congress party have also extended their support to the protest. According to JAC convenor Mushtaq Mallik, the group had earlier sought permission from the police to organise the protest but was denied on certain grounds. The JAC said that they would go ahead with the demonstration at Dharna Chowk from 2 pm to 5 pm. Memebers had previously led the city's anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests at the same location. Meanwhile, the second protest is scheduled for June 1 and will be led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a pan-India body comprising Islamic scholars, legal experts, and professionals. As part of its nationwide outreach, the AIMPLB has been conducting public meetings to raise awareness about what it perceives as a negative ripple effect of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. In Hyderabad, the Board recently held a protest meeting at Darussalam, the headquarters of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). It also recently organised a Lights Off protest and a human chain, both symbolic protests against the new waqf legislation. Both the JAC and AIMPLB have expressed confidence in mobilising large crowds in opposition to the new Act. Both protests will take place at Dharna Chowk. However, there have been murmurs, that both groups are not on the same page. Efforts to organise a single protest on one day have not been successful. There are indications that this could be due to disagreements of a political nature. The AIMPLB team, speaking to the media, pointed out that that their demonstration is scheduled for June 1. Both groups have urged the public to attend the demonstration in large numbers. The Waqf legislation has drawn criticism from various Muslim organisations and INDIA alliance leaders who maintained that it is likely that the Bharatiya Janata Party would snatch waqf properties from the control of Muslims. The Act undermines the purpose and spirit of waqf .
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
DA challenges Employment Equity Amendment Act, putting Government of National Unity under scrutiny
The DA challenged the Employment Equity Amendment Act at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, arguing that the law would worsen the unemployment rate. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Government of National Unity (GNU) is once again under intense scrutiny after the DA has hauled the ANC-led government to court over the Employment Equity Amendment Act. The court case that began on Tuesday in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, lists Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth as the first respondent. In its court papers as the applicant, the DA contends the amendments replace a context-sensitive approach, where employers set their numerical targets for employment equity, with a rigid, one-size-fits-all system of minister-determined targets. Non-compliance could result in severe penalties. The DA argues this violates Section 9 of the Constitution, which governs equality and affirmative action. While Section 9(2) permits affirmative action, it must be approached cautiously and not unduly infringe on dignity or establish absolute barriers. The DA asserts the Amendment Act's mandatory targets are blunt and rigid, potentially amounting to unconstitutional quotas. Furthermore, the DA claims the Amendment Act is entirely invalid due to incorrect tagging during the parliamentary process. Bills substantially affecting provinces should follow Section 76 of the Constitution, but this Bill was passed under Section 75. The DA details the current Employment Equity Act's requirements for designated employers to analyse workforce representation, create context-specific equity plans with numerical goals (excluding quotas), and implement them saying these obligations are enforceable. DA Federal Executive Chairperson Helen Zille said the party is committed to redressing the millions of economically excluded South Africans due to the legacy of apartheid. However, she believes the most effective form of redress is a job, and the ANC's Employment Equity regime is driving the country's skyrocketing unemployment rate. "In 2008, unemployment was 5.5 million. By last year, it had doubled to 11.1 million," Zille said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The DA's court action argues that the Amendment Act discriminates unfairly and unconstitutionally, giving the Minister of Labour excessive powers to set rigid national targets for every economic sector without considering specific firm contexts. Zille said this could lead to exclusion from employment based on national quotas set by the minister, which is manifestly unfair to certain groups, such as Indians in KwaZulu-Natal or coloured people in the Western Cape. DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille said the party is ready to begin an argument on the Employment Equity Amendment Act on Tueday. Image: Cindy Waxa / Independent Newspapers Responding to the court action, Minister Meth expressed dismay at the DA's challenge, stating that it is a clear attempt to reverse progress made since 1994 and maintain the unfair status quo. "The Amendment Act empowers the minister to set numerical targets for equitable representation after consulting relevant sectors and with the advice of the Commission," Meth said. She further emphasised that the Amendment Act introduces flexible employment equity targets, allowing designated employers to set annual numerical targets in their employment equity plans, which must follow sectoral targets. She accused the DA of sabotaging transformation goals pursued since the end of apartheid. ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, described the DA's court action as hatred for transformation, as is evident through this court action. 'We will stand with Cosatu (the Congress of South African Trade Unions), the South African Communist Party (SACP), and all progressive formations in resisting this desperate assault by the DA,' Mbalula said. He said that through this Act, the DA was drifting from the spirit of the GNU and positioning itself outside the project of nation-building and shared prosperity. 'Transformation, equity, and diversity are not up for negotiations. We will not surrender to elitist apartheid nostalgia or legal posturing,' Mbalula said. There have been growing calls for the ANC to divorce the DA from the GNU, with the latest calls coming from the ANC parliamentary caucus, saying the party should move on, adding speculation on the future of the GNU. A source within the ANC revealed that most within the National Executive Committee were calling for the ANC leadership to fire the DA from the GNU. The two parties have been at loggerheads over the past months on various topics, with the latest disagreement seeing the DA winning the battle over the increase in the Value-Added-Tax (VAT), which the ANC had been advocating for. Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. Image: GCIS The two parties have also disagreed on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act and the National Health Insurance Fund Bill. However, Zille said the DA is not in the GNU to please the ANC or anyone else but to make the most significant impact. "The only people we are trying to please are our current and future voters," she added.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
DA is crippling the government's transformation agenda
The DA says the Employment Equity Amendment Act gives the Minister of Labour and Employment too much power. The DA is sabotaging the country's transformation programme, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth says. The DA is in court this morning (Tuesday) challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act. According to the party, this Act is discriminatory and will repel investors and create inequality among different races. Preserving the 'unfair status quo' Meth described the DA's court challenge as a clear attempt to reverse the progress made since 1994. 'The DA's challenge seeks to disrupt efforts aimed at achieving equitable representation and maintaining the inherently unfair status quo. 'By opposing these amendments, the DA is actively sabotaging the transformation goals that have been pursued since the end of the apartheid era, effectively hindering progress towards equality and fairness in the workplace.' The Amendment Act empowers the minister of employment and labour to set numerical targets for equitable representation of suitably qualified individuals from designated groups at all occupational levels. 'This is done after consulting relevant sectors and with the advice of the commission, ensuring that the minister does not act arbitrarily and remains within the framework of the Employment Equity Act,' she said. She said 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,' she said. ALSO READ: The DA can walk away from GNU, says Mbalula Correcting inequality through legislation Meanwhile, DA federal council chair Helen Zille said she did not believe that using legislation to correct the injustices of the past was the best approach to healing the divisions in the country. 'What is going to achieve the transformation mandate is a growing economy, what is going to militate against it is a shrinking economy and fewer and fewer jobs. 'And as these jobs get fewer and fewer the elites fight over the shrinking number of jobs that exist at the top of the pyramid. 'And then this would encourage mass immigration and skills which undermines economic growth and development,' she said. Zille said employment equity has not achieved its goals since it was introduced. NOW READ: ANC stands divided over DA
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
DA court challenge a step backward in the fight for equality, fairness, says minister
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. Image: GCIS EMPLOYMENT and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has described the DA's court challenge of the amendments to the Employment Equity Act as an attempt to maintain the inherently unfair status quo. In a move that could further strain the Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to challenge the constitutionality of the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which it claims introduces rigid national race quotas in the workplace. The DA maintains that this will destroy jobs, undermine the economy, and violate the constitutional rights of all South Africans. The matter is expected to be heard on Tuesday. In a statement on Monday, Meth said the Amendment Act empowers the Minister of Employment and Labour to set numerical targets for equitable representation of suitably qualified individuals from designated groups at all occupational levels. This was done after consulting relevant sectors and with the advice of the Commission, ensuring that the Minister does not act arbitrarily and remains within the framework of the Employment Equity Act. 'The DA's attack on these regulations is based on the claim that the section 15A scheme is unconstitutional. However, as stated in section 2 of the Employment Equity Act, the Minister's implementation of these measures cannot legally constitute unfair discrimination. The DA's challenge seeks to disrupt efforts aimed at achieving equitable representation and maintaining the inherently unfair status quo. By opposing these amendments, the DA is actively sabotaging the transformation goals that have been pursued since the end of the apartheid era, effectively hindering progress towards equality and fairness in the workplace. This stance is not only anti-transformation, but also a step backward in the fight for equality and fairness in the workplace,' said Meth. Addressing journalists ahead of the court case, DA's Federal chairperson Helen Zille said South Africa needs jobs and growth - not race-based laws that block employment opportunities. Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille, addresses members of the media on the latest developments in their high court challenge of amendments to the Employment Equity Act Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She said this would drive unemployment up and further decline the economy. She added that this matter was not new, and that the court action started more than two years ago, during the 6th Parliament, when the DA argued that the Employment Equity Amendment Act discriminates unfairly and unconstitutionally. 'While Section 9.2 of the Constitution allows fair discrimination to achieve redress, such discrimination has to meet the benchmark of fairness set out in Section 9. This draconian amendment Act falls far short of this benchmark,' she said.
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Labour Minister criticises DA's court challenge as anti-transformation
DA's court case against employment quotas labelled anti-transformation by. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Media The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has criticised the Democratic Alliance's (DA) court challenge against employment quotas as anti-transformation. "The DA's challenge seeks to disrupt efforts aimed at achieving equitable representation and maintaining the inherently unfair status quo. By opposing these amendments, the DA is actively sabotaging the transformation goals that have been pursued since the end of the apartheid era. "The DA is effectively hindering progress towards equality and fairness in the workplace. This stance is not only anti-transformation, but also a step backward in the fight for equality and fairness in the workplace," said Meth. This action undermines progress made since 1994 and perpetuates the unequal status quo. She went on to say that the Employment Equity Amendment Act allows the Minister of Employment and Labour to establish numerical objectives for ensuring fair representation of competent persons from certain groups across all occupational levels. Meth added that the minister consults relevant industries and seeks advice from the Commission before making decisions, ensuring compliance with the Employment Equity Act. "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 DA's attack on these regulations is based on the claim that the section 15A scheme is unconstitutional."
