The government will soon introduce new employment quotas to foreign workers. It will also ban foreign nationals from starting small businesses in some sectors.
Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi introduced the National Labour Migration Policy. Including Employment Services Amendment Bill for public comment today.
The NLMP will introduce quotas on the total number of documented foreign nationals with work visas. Employed in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality and tourism and construction, along with other sectors.
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The minister of labour will set the limit on foreign nationals, and the quotas will differ per occupation, sector or region. Quotas would apply not only to formal employees but also to anyone paid for any work. This also applies to “platform workers,” such as e-hailing service drivers. Small business intervention and enforcement of a list of sectors where foreign nationals cannot be allocated business visas will complement the NLMP.
[Speech] Minister Nxesi on the release of the National Labour Migration Policy for public comment https://t.co/HkqrVce8rf #NationaMigrationPolicySA pic.twitter.com/9BED62x7N2
— Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) February 28, 2022
It also involves amendments to the Small Business Act to limit foreign nationals establishing SMMEs and trading in some sectors of the economy.
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The Department of Home Affairs is also reviewing current legislation and strengthening the Border Management Authority to secure porous borders. This will also allow for the orderly movement of people and other nationals through ports of entry only.
“From the side of my department, together with all relevant authorities, we are stepping up inspections to enforce existing labour and immigration legislation,” Nxesi said.
