Business Report writes that businesses face a crucial compliance challenge after the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) on Tuesday gazetted two sets of Employment Equity (EE) Regulations effective from 1 January 2025.

The DEL said: "The publication of these EE Regulations represents a pivotal step toward advancing transformation and inclusivity in the South African labour market. Employers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new regulatory framework to ensure compliance and alignment with employment equity objectives." The regulations mandate designated employers to meet sector-specific equity targets by 2030, with hefty fines for non-compliance. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to R1.5 million or 2% of annual turnover. The new regulations, following up on the Employment Equity Amendment Act of 2022. They comprise General Administrative Regulations, which provide standardised reporting tools and compliance templates, and Regulations on Sector Numerical EE Targets, which set five-year goals for designated groups across 18 economic sectors at top occupational levels. Designated employers with 50 or more employees must align their EE plans with these targets to ensure equitable representation. Small employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from preparing EE plans and annual reports, but are encouraged to remain in the DEL’s database for compliance certification. The DEL, the Commission for Employment Equity and the CCMA intend to conduct national workshops to engage with various stakeholders in the labour market about the implications of the new legislation.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Philippa Larkin at Business Report

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