17 OCTOBER 2023 EXAM ANSWERS - LABOUR LAW (MRL3702)
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Course
Labour Law (MRL3702)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
QUESTION 1
According to recent statistics issued by the Department of Employment and Labour, unemployment in South Africa is sitting at 32.7 percent. This number includes both new and disgruntled graduates. The latter category has been seeking jobs for more than five years without success and has ...
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, QUESTION 1
According to recent statistics issued by the Department of Employment and
Labour, unemployment in South Africa is sitting at 32.7 percent. This number
includes both new and disgruntled graduates. The latter category has been
seeking jobs for more than five years without success and has since gave up. In
early 2023, a group of graduates formed a movement called Concerned
Unemployed Graduates of South Africa (CUGSA) which demands that the
government must make jobs available for all the graduates. Further that priority
should be given to South Africans when filing the positions and that a retirement
policy should be developed, which sets retirement age at 60 years across all the
economic sectors. These demands are aimed at levelling the unemployment curve
in South Africa, de-stress the country’s unemployed youth and to alleviate
poverty.
Garibishane, a Serbian national and a labour law student agrees with the demand
for the setting out of the retirement age but feels that the demand to prioritise
South Africans when hiring unfairly discriminates against non-South Africa.
With reference to relevant legal authority, write a one page well supported legal opinion
regarding the fairness of the two demands made by CUGSA insofar as they relate to age, and
discrimination based on nationality. (25)
The demands proposed by the Concerned Unemployed Graduates of South Africa (CUGSA) are
rooted in the prevalent socio-economic issues faced by South Africa. While their concerns are
valid, it is imperative to evaluate the legal implications and potential fairness of these demands.
This opinion focuses on two of their primary propositions: the retirement age setting and
prioritising South Africans for employment.
Setting Retirement Age at 60 Across All Economic Sectors:
Legal Standpoint:
South Africa's Employment Equity Act, 1998 (EEA) addresses the issue of unfair discrimination in
the workplace. While age is not directly pinpointed as a basis of discrimination in the EEA, any
form of discrimination should be justifiable based on reasonability and fairness.
Evaluation:
Setting a blanket retirement age at 60 across all sectors may pose challenges in terms of its
fairness and applicability. The nature of work varies across sectors, with some demanding
physical rigor and others intellectual capacity. Forcing a retirement age may inadvertently push
out individuals who are fit and capable of continuing their roles, whilst replacing them with
potentially less experienced individuals. This could reduce efficiency and productivity in some
sectors.
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