Notable changes in the Employment Equity Amendment Act include the following:

• The definition of a 'designated employer' has been revised: Employers with 50 or more employees will be considered designated employers for the purposes of affirmative. Total annual turnover will no longer be taken into account.

• Ministerial authority to establish numerical goals: The Minister of Employment and Labour now has the authority to select national economic sectors and set numerical targets for each one. Education, agriculture, banking, insurance, and other industries have already had consultations. Mining and quarrying, public administration and defense, manufacturing, information and communication, construction, and real estate are among the industries that have still to be consulted.

• Criteria for issuing a compliance certificate: Employers intending to engage into agreements with the State must acquire a certificate of conformity from the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL). Following the revisions, the certificate requirement established in Section 53 of the EEA will become operative. To obtain the certificate, designated and non-designated employers must meet specific criteria, such as meeting sectoral numerical targets, submitting annual employment equity reports, not having been found guilty of unfair discrimination in the previous 12 months, and not having outstanding CCMA awards for non-payment of the national minimum wage.

Explore the impact the Act will have on your organisation at this interactive session.

The Transformation Forum keeps abreast of new developments on the B-BBEE front by inviting expert speakers to address members. Member companies are provided with opportunities to present on their initiatives that address transformation and foster local innovation and job opportunities. Workshops on new legislation and critical issues are held.

Objectives:

• To assist members to interpret the B-BBEE Codes (practically and financially);
• To provide members with an opportunity to have constructive dialogues with stakeholders and government Ministers; and
• To monitor and compile submissions on proposed legislation that will impact member companies.