Legal policy of favoring workers who are members of a disadvantaged group that currently suffers or historically has suffered from discrimination within a culture in securing employment or a promotion. Its intention is to improve their chances in securing employment or a promotion. Used in many countries in one form or another, but most notably in South Africa as a remedy to balance the workplace following many years of apartheid. Known as “positive discrimination” in the UK and “employment equity” in Canada, affirmative action may be used by governments to address issues of inequality relating to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.