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Despite court battles, firms obliged from Monday to comply with new employment equity rules

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BL Premium reports that Monday marks the first day for employers in different sectors across the country to start reporting according to the government’s new employment equity (EE) regulations.  This is notwithstanding pending legal challenges.

The National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa) and Sakeliga last week lost an urgent legal challenge in the Pretoria High Court where they sought an interim order to suspend the EE regulations pending a review application. This means from 1 September employers will have to report based on the new regulations, with numerical targets for employment sectors. The regulations were published in April after the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) came into effect in January. Neasa and Sakeliga have vowed to appeal the High Court ruling directly to the Constitutional Court. While the legal battle continues, the act and regulations remain lawful until overturned.

The 2025 employment equity reporting period opens on 1 September and closes on 15 January. In dismissing the urgent application, Judge Graham Moshoana pointed out that an interdict was not an appropriate remedy in the circumstances of the case. Employment & Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth commented as follows: “This ruling is a victory for equity, justice and the rule of law. It affirms that the department has acted within its legal mandate to advance transformation in the workplace. We urge all employers to comply with the employment equity regulations and to prepare for the submission of their 2025 reports. The time for meaningful change is now.”

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)


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