Johannesburg - Trade union Solidarity has asked South African Airways to postpone its pilot cadet programme for the time being while an investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission is under way, it said on Wednesday.
"SAA has been requested to postpone the finalisation of its 2014 intake pending the SAHRC's ruling on the case... applications for next year's programme close today [Wednesday]," Solidarity's head of their centre for fair labour practices Dirk Groenewald said in a statement.
"Alternatively, the SAA has been requested to confirm in writing that, provided they meet the minimum criteria, white men will be included among the successful candidates."
Solidarity complained about the cadet programme's admission requirements. The union said it discriminated unfairly against white men and amounted to a quota system.
The union asked the SAHRC to investigate the matter on behalf of 10 white men who applied for the cadet programme but were unsuccessful due to their skin colour.
Solidarity asked that SAA be instructed to stop the discriminatory practices and open the programme to people of all races and sexes.
The SAHRC began its investigation this month.
SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said the request was received from Solidarity.
"The matter is receiving attention internally, we will respond to Solidarity as soon as we are able to do so."