South African Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has confirmed that he will be consulted before quotas for professional categories and occupational classes of immigrants are set in terms of the Immigration Act.
Replying to a question from Minority Front MP Sunklavathy Rajbally, who asked whether there was any involvement by his department with Home Affairs to set criteria to “resource” immigrants with skills needed in South Africa, Mdladlana said: “The Department of Labour is represented on the Immigration Advisory Board, where inputs are made on immigration policy. Regarding criteria for the attraction of skilled immigrants, the Immigration Act uses quotas that are now to be prescribed according to specific professional categories and occupational classes. The Minister of Labour is to be consulted before these quotas are published in the Government Gazette.
“The Department of Labour will therefore be involved with the Department of Home Affairs in terms of the Immigration Amendment Bill once it is promulgated and the regulations finalised.”
Mdladlana noted that in terms of general work permits, both the old and new immigration legislation required an employer to search for South African labour before making use of immigrant workers.
“This search criterion is one that the department of labour supports. Where immigrant workers are employed, their conditions of employment should not undermine the employment of South African workers. The criterion is also one that the Department of Labour supports.” – I-Net Bridge.