South Africa faces pressure to pass new labor laws amid protests over foreign workers
via The Citizen3 min read
South Africa is under increasing pressure to pass the Employment Services Amendment Bill and the Draft National Labour Migration Policy. This comes amid protests concerning foreign nationals, both documented and undocumented, allegedly taking jobs from local citizens. The Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, officially introduced the Bill in the National Assembly. A civil society group, March and March, has given undocumented migrants until June 30 to leave the country voluntarily, escalating street actions. While Ghana has begun repatriating its citizens and Nigeria plans to do the same, some Nigerian parliamentarians have opposed these removals. The issue has become a priority for the government and is expected to be a campaign topic in the November 4 local government elections. The Bill aims to tighten regulations for foreign nationals in the labor market, empowering the minister to set quotas for foreign workers by sector, occupation, or region. Employers would be required to prioritize South African citizens and permanent residents and implement skills transfer plans for local employees when hiring foreigners. Exemptions apply to small businesses, critical skills, ministerial waivers, and scarce skills. The policy complements the Bill by addressing perceptions that foreign nationals are favored in certain industries and will impose quotas on documented foreign nationals with work visas. It also seeks to restrict foreign nationals from obtaining business vi
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