JOHANNESBURG - Illegal immigration undermines government's efforts to create decent work for South Africans, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
While addressing the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa said government would enforce harsher penalties on employers who hire illegal migrants in their businesses.
"They employ undocumented immigrants because their legal status means they cannot stand up for their own rights," he says.
"They pay them below the minimum wage and make them work longer hours without due compensation," he adds.
READ: Employers to blame for undocumented workers - Labour Deputy Minister
Ramaphosa says such acts undermine fair competition and opportunities for South Africans. Up to recently, the Department of Labour and Employment could only fine the employers a penalty.
"We are going to increase the penalties, including imprisonment for employers who violate our Immigration Act," says Ramaphosa.
Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya says the enactment of the Employment Services Amendment Bill will allow them to apply stricter sanctions on employers violating Employment and immigration laws.
The Bill seeks to amend the 2014 Act to better regulate the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa. It also aims to prevent worker exploitation and enhance job opportunities for citizens.
"It has gone past legal scrutiny and it is Parliament's process that will determine how soon we can start," said Sibiya.
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