The ANC calls on the private sector to speedily and fully implement employment equity and affirmative action in the workplace in response to the newly released Commission for Employment Equity Annual Report of 2010-11, which reflects embarrassingly high statistical race disparities in South Africa. The huge and disturbing inequality levels between blacks and whites are a clear indication of the slow pace of transformation in the workplace.
The fact that in the 17th year of our constitutional democracy blacks still account for only 16,9% of employees at top management level while whites account for 73,1% - nearly six times the economically active population - as well as the representation of African women and people with disabilities only accounting for 0,8%, is an indictment on business leaders for their failure to embrace progressive change in South Africa. This is not in line with the ANC-led government's policy, which seeks to build a more equitable, sustainable and inclusive economic growth path, and effect gender and disability parity centred on the creation of decent work opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. [Applause.]