By: Natasha Archary
Dischem pharmacies has backtracked on a leaked memorandum over the company’s policing on the hiring of whites.
The internal document which has since gone viral has sparked a national uproar over division of employment equity and racism.
Written by group CEO, Ivan Saltzman, the memo claims the company’s stance is necessary to ensure the brand remains profitable and avoids a potential fine of 10% of its turnover for the year.
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With the pharmaceutical retailer now threatened with court action over its racist hiring policy, Dischem has responded apologising for the “tone” of the leaked memo.
Taking to social media, Dischem said it regrets the wording and tone of the memorandum which had been erroneously circulated.
“We acknowledge that it did not reflect our values. Its release did not follow our correct internal vetting processes and steps have been put in place to ensure that, going forward, relevant checks and balances are thoroughly duly performed.
Most importantly, we sincerely regret the offence and distress it caused to so many people, including our staff and millions of loyal customers.”
Despite backtracking on the wording, Dischem says the intention of its hiring policies stays in place.
“Remember we are growing at a fast rate and a few appointments other than white don’t cut it. It’s the ratio between black and white that counts. So, when no suitable black candidate is found, and a white is appointed, we need several blacks just to maintain the status quo.”
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