Proposed law aims to tighten rules on employing foreign nationals

The portfolio committee on employment and labour received a briefing from the department of employment and labour on the Employment Services Amendment Bill, marking its formal introduction,reportsAlex News. The bill proposes changes to the Employment Services Act of 2014 to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in line with labour and immigration laws. A key focus is measured to address the employment of undocumented foreign nationals and to align the act with the Immigration Act and the Refugees Act.

Committee chairperson Boyce Maneli welcomed the tabling, while members raised concerns about undocumented foreign workers, discussing mechanisms to regulate their employment while protecting job opportunities for South African citizens. The talks also covered quotas, penalties for non-compliant employers, and the role of bilateral labour agreements. The committee stressed the need for stronger co-ordination between the department of employment and labour, the department of home affairs, the South African Police Service, and other law-enforcement agencies.

The department said the amendments will strengthen enforcement, improve compliance, help address worker exploitation, and create a more orderly labour-migration system. Maneli said the committee will now invite written public submissions. Organised labour, businesses, civil-society organisations, and members of the public are encouraged to participate before the bill moves to the next parliamentary stage.

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