Warning about new employment equity targets for South African companies with more than 50 employees

• The new Employment Equity Act will require South African companies with more than 50 employees to meet government-determined demographic targets for management positions and skilled roles.
• The targets, which will be set by the Labour Minister, focus on shifting demographic representation within companies, with a reduction in the percentage of white males in various positions expected to 4% in some cases.
• The implementation of the new Act is expected to lead to businesses losing skilled individuals and potentially shutting down due to the weight of additional compliance, which civil society organisations warn will have 'dreadful consequences' for many groups of people.