South Africa’s Department of Employment and Labour says it plans to fine employers up to R100,000 for each undocumented foreign worker they hire, as the government steps up action against illegal immigration.
The proposal comes alongside plans to recruit 10,000 labour inspectors to strengthen enforcement of labour and immigration laws. It follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that government will increase penalties, including possible jail terms, for employers who break the Immigration Act by hiring undocumented migrants.
Ramaphosa has also outlined wider measures, including more arrests, inspections, prosecutions and deportations, tighter border control, biometric identity systems, and reforms to immigration and labour laws.
These include intensifying arrests, inspections, prosecutions and deportations of undocumented migrants, while increasing penalties for employers who hire them illegally.
Government also plans to strengthen border management through improved technology, infrastructure and personnel, and relocate refugee reception centres closer to border posts.
Other measures include combating corruption, introducing biometric-based digital identification systems, phasing out green barcoded ID books and tightening identity verification processes.
Ramaphosa said government would reform immigration and labour legislation, introduce quotas for foreign workers and improve the regulation of businesses and informal traders.
He added that South Africa would work with African countries and regional organisations to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, conflict and limited economic opportunities.