Probe finds undocumented migrants on municipal outsourcing contracts

Investigations have found undocumented migrants working on municipal outsourcing contracts, performing roles such as grass cutting, cleaning and security, according to The Citizen.

What the investigations found

According to The Citizen, audits and probes into municipal outsourcing arrangements revealed that undocumented migrants are employed on contracts intended to provide services to municipalities. Roles identified included grass cutting, cleaning and security.

Political and policy response

The Citizen reports the findings amid growing pressure on the government to speed up passage of the Employment Services Amendment Bill and the Draft National Labour Migration Policy. The Bill would tighten regulation of foreign nationals in the labour market, including measures to prioritise South African citizens and permanent residents for employment and to set quotas for foreign workers by sector, occupation or region.

Civic action and removals

The Citizen says civil society group March and March has set a 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily, and has increased street actions calling for removals. The organisation is quoted as saying, “illegal migrants must pack and go peacefully.”

Labour inspections and enforcement

According to The Citizen, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth tabled the Employment Services Amendment Bill in the National Assembly. The Citizen reports Minister Meth has vowed to intensify inspections to ensure legislation is applied, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa previously pledged to deploy 10 000 additional labour inspectors to enforce compliance with labour and immigration laws.

Questions about implementation

The Citizen also records concerns from experts about how proposed quota systems and other restrictions would operate in practice, including whether limits would apply to existing foreign nationals in employment or only to new appointments.

Context in affected sectors

According to The Citizen, the debate around foreign labour touches industries such as hospitality, retail, construction, logistics and low‑income labour sectors, which have been cited in discussions about employment and immigration policy changes.

Reporting credit: According to The Citizen, investigations reveal undocumented migrants working on municipal outsourcing contracts.