Johannesburg - Retailer Woolworths gave preference to some job applicants to ensure diversity, the company said on Wednesday.
“Jobs are only designated and preference indicated where there is a need to address representation and ensure the diversity of our teams,” the retailer's chief operating officer Sam Ngumeni said.
“Other than that, all other jobs are open to applicants from all demographic groups.”
The company rejected claims from trade union Solidarity that its recruitment process was racially discriminatory. Ngumeni said all their employment practices were in line with the Employment Equity Act.
Earlier, Solidarity announced a campaign to get Woolworths to retract job advertisements it believed discriminated against whites.
Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said the company failed to retract advertisements for posts for which only black candidates would be considered, despite the union raising concerns about this on Tuesday.
The campaign: “Woolworse: Making a differentiation”, would be driven by social media and include protest messages to Woolworths CEO Ian Moir. - Sapa