Khulu Phasiwe, Eskom’s spokesperson, reacted yesterday to an article in Rapport that the power utility will have to reduce its complement of white engineers by 1,081 and its white artisans by 2,179 by March 2020 in terms of strict new requirements in terms of the Employment Equity Act, by saying that “they would not shoot themselves in the foot.”
The figures were calculated by trade union Solidarity based on a report that Eskom gave to unions in December setting out the utility’s position for the purpose of consultations over a revised employment equity plan. Phasiwe said Eskom will not be laying-off white workers, not only because it would be unconstitutional, but also because it would serve no purpose. Referring to engineers and artisans he said: “We need more people.” He indicated that Eskom supported the promotion of black, brown and Indian employees, as well as women, and the new representivity targets would be reached through appointments at new power stations. He added that the document containing the representivity figures had not been officially approved by Eskom’s board or managing director.
Solidarity’s Dr Dirk Hermann is worried that Eskom will use other ways to get rid of its white workers. He says that between 1994 and 2002 Eskom shed about 2,020 white workers by way of the climate that was created and through voluntary severance packages. Solidarity is going to request a moratorium on affirmative action in respect of essential posts. The DA is moreover going to ask for a moratorium on the retrenchment of engineers.
- Read this report by Jan Gerber in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page