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When and why was employment equity act implemented?

The Employment Equity Act in South Africa was implemented in 1998. The primary reason for its implementation was to redress the disadvantages experienced by designated groups and ensure their equitable representation in all occupational categories and levels in the workforce.

The Act responded to the systemic and pervasive discrimination and inequality that was a hallmark of the apartheid era. It was recognised that the legacy of apartheid had resulted in significant disparities in employment, particularly in terms of race and gender. The Act was therefore designed to promote equal opportunity and fair employment treatment by eliminating unfair discrimination.

Consider a hypothetical company, 'ACME', established in the early 1990s. Before implementing the Employment Equity Act, ACME, like many South African companies of the time, would have had a workforce largely reflective of the discriminatory practices of the apartheid era. 

With the implementation of the Act, ACME would have been required to take active steps to promote employment equity, redressing historical imbalances and creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

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