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The Department of Labour's employment equity directorate went all out this week to highlight key aspects of the newly-amended employment equity law during its roadshows in the Free State towns of Welkom and Bloemfontein.

The amendments were recently signed into law by President Jacob Zuma and kick in on August 1.

Masilo Lefika, deputy director in the directorate, told dozens of those attending that the amendments gave effect to constitutional rights like the right to equality, fair labour practices as well as protection against unfair discrimination.

He also said the amended employment equity law further strengthened the implementation and enforcement mechanisms of the Act by for example increasing fines for non-compliance.

"Most importantly, it introduces the concept of equal pay for work of equal value," he said.

Tshililo Siobo, assistant director in the employment equity directorate, reminded employers that the deadline for manual reporting was October 1 while that of on-line filing was 15 January 2015.

He said 98.5 percent of reports received in the last financial year were on-line while only 1.5 percent was manual.

He said the roadshows would conclude with a huge event at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, on 13 August.