JOHANESBURG - The South African government is planning drastic changes to its labour laws, which will see foreign-owned companies being forced to employ at least 80 per cent of their workforce locally. A new screening process for those seeking asylum is also on the cards.
“This will have to be done within a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the visa to do business in this country,” Deputy Director General of Home Affairs, Jackie McKay, said during his briefing to the Parliament Portfolio Committee.
While the amendment of labour laws is meant create more jobs for locals, in an employment industry that cannot absorb the millions of both local and foreign job-seekers, McKay said the pre-screening exercise of would-be refugees would help deal with, among others, “fugitives from justice”.
“Once an asylum seeker has been successfully pre-screened, they will be directed to the closest Refugee Reception Office, where their entry into South Africa will be processed according to the Refugee Act,” added McKay.
Some of the suggested changes include decreased sentences for Home Affairs officials and foreign nationals implicated in fraudulent and corrupt activities in the neighbouring country.
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