Illegal Immigration: The debate surrounding the Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16-2026) has intensified as thousands of immigrant workers in South Africa begin leaving the country, driven by the enforcement of stricter immigration regulations, says University of Zululand's Dr Sheetal Bhoola.
The debate surrounding the Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16-2026) has intensified as thousands of immigrant workers in South Africa begin leaving the country, driven by the enforcement of stricter immigration regulations.
These changes come amidst an ongoing struggle with high unemployment rates, which persist at just under 33%, and an alarming rate of 60% among the youth aged 15 to 30. While the government’s intention is to prioritise local job seekers, the realities on the ground indicate that the implications of this bill are far more complex.
The recently proposed legislation aims to tighten the employment of foreign nationals by imposing hefty fines on employers who fail to verify the legal status of their workers. A first-time offence will carry a maximum fine of R100,000 per undocumented worker, which could escalate to nearly R1 million for repeat offenders. While this may deter some non-compliance, it places immense financial pressure on businesses in both the formal and informal sectors.
