Government is set to intensify enforcement against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals, as part of a broader effort to protect labour standards, promote fair competition and create opportunities for South Africans.
Addressing the nation on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said illegal immigration undermines efforts to create decent work and contributes to the exploitation of vulnerable workers.
He acknowledged that some employers hire undocumented migrants because their legal status prevents them from standing up for their rights, allowing businesses to pay wages below the minimum wage and impose excessive working hours without proper compensation.
“We have uncovered a number of workplaces where undocumented migrants are made to labour under very bad conditions,” the President said, adding that employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers are breaking the law, undermining labour standards, fair competition and opportunities for South Africans.
President Ramaphosa said going forward, such conduct will face stronger penalties and stricter enforcement.
As part of government’s Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, authorities will intensify inspections of companies employing undocumented foreign nationals.
The inspections will be carried out by the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour.
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