debate needed on affirmative action
12 March 2007

The DA has called for debate in the National Assembly on a proposal for a three-year moratorium on affirmative action.

The proposal was made last week by Western Cape MEC Marius Fransman, who said at the time a moratorium was necessary to ease South Africa's skills shortage.

In a statement on Wednesday, DA labour spokesperson Mark Lowe noted that subsequent to Fransman's proposal, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka had said affirmative action would only be disbanded once it had served its purpose.

He said this begged the question of what purpose affirmative action was serving now, because if continued, it would be detrimental to the economy.  "Instances abound wherein people have either been retrenched or denied employment despite the desperate need for their skills so that equity targets are met.

"Skills crisis are looming in various priority sectors and the delivery of services to our people and the growth of our economy and job creation is suffering as a result," he said.

Speaking in the House, Lowe then moved a motion that it debate Fransman's proposal.

Sapa, www.business.iafrica.com