'AA not to blame for lack of skills'
Nov 14 2007 10:20 PM

Cape Town, Nov 14 (I-Net Bridge) - The perception that affirmative action has resulted in a huge loss of skills is not supported by recent studies published by reputable institutions, according to deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Replying to a question in the National Assembly from Anchen Dreyer of the Democratic Alliance, the deputy president insisted that the skills shortage was due to the robustness of economic growth in the country and not to affirmative action.

She pointed out that visa rules for the importation of skills had recently been revised, but told the house that recruiting overseas was much more expensive than hiring locally, and did nothing for employment equity targets. Companies would not do it if there were skills here waiting to be taken on, of whatever colour.

In any case, Mlambo-Ngcuka said, recent reports had shown that South African firms were simply not obeying the law on employment equity. A study from the University of Pretoria showed that in August this year 50% of companies did not comply with the BEE scorecard for employment equity and 82.8% did not comply on skills development.

"I urge you not to put up scarecrows and give an impression that affirmative action is taking people away from work or is disadvantaging them," the deputy president said.

"The people who are disadvantaged here are black people."

She said the government was working towards getting companies to increase their commitment to skills development, and was having some success in doing so.

Information supplied by www.fin24.co.za