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Employers Cautioned Against Hiring Undocumented Foreign Nationals

Published

11 months ago

May 26, 2023

South African Government News - Employers

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi has raised concerns over the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in the agricultural and mining sectors. Speaking at an Employers Session held at the Kuruman Lodge in Kuruman; Moloi emphasised the need for employers to engage with the government and address the issue as reported by SA News.

Moloi dismissed the misconception that South Africans are lazy, which she believes leads employers to hire undocumented foreign nationals. She highlighted the potential consequences of this practice, stating that farm murders become more complicated as these individuals cannot be traced due to the lack of available information. To address this issue, the department is currently working on the National Migration Policy to regulate foreign nationals’ employment.

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The Deputy Minister urged employers to communicate their needs to learning institutions and emphasised the urgency of tackling youth unemployment. She warned that high levels of youth unemployment could have severe consequences, including the possibility of youth-led protests that could disrupt workplaces employing undocumented foreign nationals.

Moloi assured employers that the intention is not to penalise undocumented foreign nationals but rather to assist them in complying with the country’s laws. However, she encouraged them to seek assistance or clarification from the department if needed.

Furthermore, Moloi promoted the use of the department’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) for employers to register vacancies and find suitable employees. By utilising this system, employers can streamline their recruitment processes.

After the meeting with employers, Deputy Minister Moloi proceeded to Mothibistad, where she launched a Mobile Employment Centre. During the event, she advised young job seekers to take advantage of such facilities and avoid relying on labour brokers for job placements. In addition, she cautioned against being too selective in job choices and seeking higher-level positions without first exploring their potential in different roles. Moloi also emphasised the importance of maintaining a clean online presence, as prospective employers often use social media platforms for candidate selection.

The event was organised in collaboration with various government departments, Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETAs), and the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality. As a result, the Department’s Public Employment Service successfully registered over 700 job-seekers at the event, and the project concluded at the Thabo Moorosi Multipurpose Centre.

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