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Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Act No. 53 of 2003)

Industry Charters

Forest Sector Charter

1. Preamble

 

We, the parties to this Charter, are fully committed to working collectively to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of the Forest Sector are extended to black South Africans previously excluded from meaningful participation in the Sector. In doing so, we recognise that:

• Our sector is still largely white and male dominated and characterised by large disparities in access to opportunities and benefits for black people, especially black women.
• Growth and prosperity in the South African economy and the Forest Sector cannot be realised without meaningful participation of black South Africans, including  black women, youth and the rural poor in economic life.
• We have the moral and constitutional obligation to reverse the legacy of inequality in the sector, as well as an obligation to our shareholders and employees to support sustainable growth through transformation in the sector.
• The Forest Sector has specific challenges that need to be addressed in an integrated manner to ensure sustainable equity and growth in the sector.

 

The Forest Sector believes  that a positive and proactive response through the implementation of a Transformation Charter will address inequalities in the sector, unlock the sector's potential and enhance its growth.

 

The Forest Sector also confirms its role as a high growth potential sector of the economy, which should contribute substantially to the Accelerated and Shared  Growth  Initiative for South Africa (ASGl-SA) that is set to drive the economy to a higher rate of growth that will optimise broad-based  impact.

 

We hereby commit ourselves to:

• The objectives of the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act No. 53 of 2003 (B-BBEE Act)
• The principles of sustainable forest management, in particular the principle of advancing persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination, contained in the National Forests Act No. 84 of 1998 (NFA).
• The principles contained in other legislation aimed at addressing the imbalances brought about by the economic legacy of Apartheid.
• The principles contained in labour legislation aimed at protecting the rights of forest workers, and improving the wages and working conditions of those workers negatively impacted upon by outsourcing and casualisation.
• An integrated strategy for transformation and growth in the Forest Sector based on the framework, targets and undertakings outlined in this Charter.
• Working through partnership initiatives involving industry, government, labour and communities in implementing this Charter.

 

We therefore provide the following framework, targets and undertakings for transformation of the Forest Sector that will promote broad-based black economic empowerment.