Pay-TV operator M-Met believes a "misunderstanding" resulted in the racism allegations levelled against it by trade union Solidarity.
Solidarity yesterday accused M-Net of discriminating unfairly against white people. This comes after M-Net indicated, in a recent advertisement, that only black, Indian and coloured candidates may apply for a paid internship programme offered by M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy.
According to the advertisement, up to 20 individuals can be accommodated in the programme.
Responding to ITWeb's questions on the issue, Gaylyn Wingate-Pearse, head of corporate services at M-Net, said M-Net received a letter from Solidarity in which certain allegations were levelled at the operator's Magic in Motion Academy internship programme.
"We are studying the content of the letter and the merits of the allegations. Our initial view is that we believe the sentiments raised are based on a misunderstanding. However, we will respond in full once the content of the letter has been studied and clarified," Wingate-Pearse said.
According to Dirk Groenewald, head of Solidarity's Centre for Fair Labour Practices, the advertisement does not comply with the provisions of the Employment Equity Act.
"The said advertisement boils down to nothing but the total exclusion of white people and amounts to a quota system. The said legislation prohibits quota systems. Moreover, the courts, including the Constitutional Court, have already found that the use of a quota system as well as the exclusion of people based on the grounds of their skin colour is unlawful."
According to Groenewald, numerous complaints have been received from white candidates who meet the requirements for the internship, but who may not apply for the programme because of the colour of their skin.
"In a letter, Solidarity requested M-Net to amend the advertisement in order for white people to also be allowed to apply for the positions in question. Should M-Net fail to comply with the request, we will lodge an official complaint with the Human Rights Commission."
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