By Levy Masiteng
The Department of Employment and Labour has rejected as false claims circulating on social media that proposed amendments to the Employment Services Act will give refugees and asylum seekers the same employment rights and privileges as South African citizens.
The department said the claims misrepresent the purpose of the Employment Services Amendment Bill and risk fuelling confusion at a time when tensions over asylum seekers and immigration are already running high across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said the proposed amendments “do not create new employment rights for refugees or asylum seekers” and do not remove existing immigration requirements or employment regulations.
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The department said the amendments are primarily intended to align definitions in the Employment Services Act with existing legislation, including the Immigration Act and Refugees Act.
“These claims are incorrect and do not reflect the purpose or effect of the proposed amendments,” the department said.
The clarification came as South Africa faces heightened tensions over asylum and immigration following a Constitutional Court judgment that has effectively reopened access to the asylum system to people who had previously been prevented from applying because of immigration-related procedural requirements.
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