News24 reports that Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane is introducing legislation that would prevent prospective employers from asking jobseekers for their payslips to determine remuneration packages based on previous employment.
In addition, should the party’s Fair Pay Bill be passed, jobseekers would be allowed to discuss a remuneration offer with other colleagues in a company to ensure that the offer is fair and equitable. It also proposes that every job advertisement be legally required to disclose a salary range. Maimane presented the proposed legislation at a press conference on Thursday. “The odds are stacked in favour of the employer, who holds all the power in determining salary, often based on a candidate’s previous pay, or on lower pay than the individual is entitled to. This imbalance perpetuates historical inequalities. Young people who are the first in their families to work white-collar jobs, black professionals and women often start their careers earning less than their counterparts,” Maimane explained. He went on to say: “This is not a competence issue, rather it is due to the system that allows employers to exploit previous underpayment and first-time job application. When your salary history is used against you, past disadvantage becomes future injustice.” Maimane said the Bill’s aim was to create a fair and transparent space for jobseekers to find jobs that paid them their worth. It is pinned on four key issues and will seek to amend the Employment Equity Act.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Bosa proposes bill to ensure fair pay for employees, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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