The draft Bill on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, that was published recently by the Minister of women, children and people with disability, Lulu Xingwana, is in conflict with existing legislation.

This, according to Senior Manager, Labour Relations of Agri SA, Elize van der Westhuizen. According to Agri SA’s monthly magazine, Van der Westhuizen says, while the draft bill has appraisable aspirations, it is in conflict with existing legislation such as the Employment Equity Act and the Black Economic Empowerment Act, as well as the sector-specific score cards.

She says in the opinion of Agri SA, this legislation is unnecessary, as it is a duplication of existing legislation. Van der Westhuizen says it will enhance the administrative burden for employers.

She added that the bill will also impact on small businesses and non-profit organisations. According to Van der Westhuizen, Agri SA, as a member of Business Unity SouthAfrica (BUSA), is participating in the Nedlac process to address these and other concerns of organized agriculture.

Statement supplied