Labour Minister: White men dominate top management positions

A new report released by the Labour Minister showed that white men still monopolise top management positions even with the Employment Equity Act in place.

Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, speaking at the release of the 10th Annual Employment Equity Report in Pretoria on Thursday, said the Act had been distorted by the "privileged" so they could preserve their positions.

Mdladlana said white males continued to dominate the economy, black women continued to be treated as inferior, while black men were moving up, they were perpetuating gender inequality by leaving behind black women.

While there had been a slight improvement from last year, the government would enforce more stringent conditions to ensure companies complied.

"A change must and will come in this regard. We have no option but to revisit the Act and tighten it," said the minister.

The commission recommended an investigation into why there was resistance to progress and ending racism in the workplace.

The report showed the number of top management black employees had increased by seven percent since 2008 and 2009, while white management decreased about nine percent.