On Friday, 12 May 2023, the Minister published the draft five-year sectoral numerical targets for the identified national economic sectors allowing interested parties 30 days to comment.
After publication and after the 30 days allowed for comment, there was much comment on the draft numerical targets.
On the face of it, the republished regulation furnishes more detailed guiding notes on how to interpret and apply the sectoral targets.
More importantly, the distinction between provincial and national targets has been removed with the republished targets reflecting a single target for each economic sector differentiated on the basis of gender only.
Furthermore, the republished regulation has removed the distinction between designated racial groups (Africa, Coloured, and Indian).
The target simply relates to “designated groups” which is defined in the EEA as black people (Africans, Coloured, and Indians), women and people with disabilities who are citizens of South Africa by birth or descent.
Alternatively, black people who became citizens of South Africa by naturalisation before 27 April 1994 or after 26 April 1994 and who would have been entitled to acquire citizenship by naturalisation prior to that date but who were precluded by apartheid policies.
The republished regulation continues to focus on top and senior management as well as professionally qualified and skilled levels and people with disabilities.
There are no targets for the semi-skilled and unskilled levels.
However, designated employers are required to take into account the economically active population demographics in respect of these levels.
Click here to view the republished sectoral numerical targets:
