Question NW3011 to the Minister of Labour
22 September 2015 - NW3011
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Labour
Whether, given the fact that the Public Service is already broadly representative of the demography of the country, she will consider abolishing affirmative action in the Public Service; if not, (a) why not and (b) what constitutional prescripts compel the Government to continue applying affirmative action when the requirement that the Public Service should be broadly representative of the national demography has already been attained; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
MINISTER OF LABOURS RESPONSE:
No, I will not consider abolishing Affirmative Action (AA), in the Public Service as the Affirmative Action is not a Public Service Sectoral Determination but a National dispensation. If the Public Service is broadly representative, that should be an inspiration to other sectors and not the reason to abolish the policy.
The preamble of the Constitution sums up the constitutional rationale of the need for Affirmative Action.
END