JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is formulating a policy to give skilled Zimbabwean workers and other migrants immediate permanent residence as the country pushes forward its bid to attract specialists.The major policy shift could see an increased inflow of skilled manpower into the economically sound country, which has remained a major attraction to job-seekers from several countries, particularly Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Acting chief director of refugee affairs in the Department of Home Affairs, Busi Mkhwebane-Tshehla, confirmed the development last week during the launch of the Johannesburg Migration Advisory Committee (JMAC), whose role is to formulate and oversee regulations to co-ordinate the integration of migrants in the city.
She said there was need to distinguish between economic asylum seekers and other refugees so that the former could be helped to use their skills to the optimal even when in a foreign country like South Africa.
South Africa needs more skills and because migrants need work permits and then have to apply for permanent residence, long delays are caused. We are now looking at amending the acts to grant immediate permanent residence to those with scarce skills, she said.
While Mkhwebane-Tshehla could not say what skills were classified as critical, it is common knowledge that South Africa needs more skilled workers in education, construction, mining, health, technology, among other areas.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by South Africa also seems to have increased the need to make it easier for migrant workers with relevant skills to be assisted to settle in the country and play a role in making the historic tournament a success in every respect.
Migrant workers granted permanent residence are treated as citizens and therefore enjoy the same rights as South Africans. Johannesburg mayor, Amos Masondo, this week also launched a committee that will work to ensure that migrants in the city are not subjected to harassment as has been reported in some areas in South Africa.
Masondo said migration would not benefit only South Africa but also countries where such workers came from.
There are skilled migrants who maintain ties with their countries of origin who stimulate the transfer of technology and capital. Receiving countries are therefore not the only ones to see positive changes in their economies, said Masondo.
Post published in: Economy