The second session for the Affirmative Action report review commenced today, with six more companies appearing before the Employment Equity Committee after being summoned for not complying with some sections of the Affirmative Action Act.

The Windhoek Vocational Training Centre, Court Helicopter, Gmunder Lodge, the Ministry of Agriculture, Synergy Foods, and the former Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade were then summoned for non-compliance and inaccurate AAC report submissions.

Only minor discrepancies were identified in most of the disapproved affirmative action reports, particularly in the workforce profile.

Deputy Director for Human Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Simeon Amushelelo, said they were unaware of the discrepancies related to the workforce profile and inaccurate figures.

He promised that they would submit an updated report by Friday of next week.

The Chairperson of the review panel, Libonina Nawa, emphasised that compliance is non-negotiable, like in any other law, and should be prioritised by all employers.

He said that although the ministry scored 95% in terms of compliance, other elements, such as data accuracy, are very crucial.

Nawa further stated that the ministry, as a government entity, should serve as an example to private companies and avoid non-compliance.

"Any given ministry is looked at as a representation or a representative of the state. These laws that we hear being enforced are state laws. At no point, colleagues, do we want to see any government ministry or office here; it's a matter of principle. If the ministry cannot comply, what are we saying to the private sector? The private sector gets hammered for non-compliance by the same state. Then the state fails to comply with its own laws. That cannot be."

He emphasised that the EEC is committed to making sure that genuine efforts are made towards fair and equitable employment practices.

The council said it would give feedback within seven days.