{"id":81020,"date":"2025-02-26T10:59:14","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T10:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/government-sends-a-warning-to-businesses-hiring-foreign-workers-in-south-africa"},"modified":"2025-02-26T10:59:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T10:59:14","slug":"government-sends-a-warning-to-businesses-hiring-foreign-workers-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/government-sends-a-warning-to-businesses-hiring-foreign-workers-in-south-africa","title":{"rendered":"Government sends a warning to businesses hiring foreign workers in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. <\/strong><\/span>The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has revealed that 68 employers have been arrested with R680,000 in fines for violating employment and immigration laws, which is a stern warning to businesses hiring foreign workers in South Africa.<\/p>\n

This data was detailed in a recent Parliamentary Q&A<\/b>, where the DEL was asked for a breakdown of all arrests of employers who were charged and convicted of violating the law by employing illegal immigrants without valid work permits in 2024.<\/p>\n

In response, the DEL explained that it conducts blitz inspections in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring such operations, DEL\u2019s mandate is to enforce the implementation of labour laws to ensure the protection of workers in those particular companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, DHA scrutinises the validity of visas and work permits through the application of immigration laws,\u201d the DEL said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the event of noncompliance with immigration laws, DHA arrests the noncompliant employers and employees,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

The statistics below indicate the arrests made by DHA during the joint operation, which spread across the different provinces.<\/p>\n

The DEL noted that each of the 68 employers arrested paid an admission of guilt fine of R10,000. Therefore, the total amount paid in fines was R680,000.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the DEL highlighted that 322 employees were arrested and taken for further processing as per immigration requirements.<\/p>\n

34 employers and 34 employees were arrested in the Eastern Cape, and the fines totalling R340,000 were the steepest in the country.<\/p>\n

However, while the Eastern Cape had the most employers arrested, Limpopo recorded 163 employee arrests with only eight employer arrests.<\/p>\n

The Free State only recorded two employee arrests, while the Northern Cape and North West were the only provinces with no arrests.<\/p>\n

ProvinceEmployers arrestedEmployees arrestedTotal fines paidLimpopo8163R80,000Eastern Cape3434R340,000Mpumalanga1530R150,000Western Cape243R20,000Gauteng434R40,000Kwa-Zulu Natal516R50,000Free State02R0Northern Cape00R0North West 00R0Total 68322R680,000<\/b>
\nGovernment crackdown<\/b><\/p>\n

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth<\/p>\n

This data comes after the DEL committed to ramping up its inspection raids at the end of last year as part of its zero-tolerance stance on hiring illegal foreign workers in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth announced<\/b> that the department had conducted nearly 2,900 inspections across all provinces in under a week in October 2024.<\/p>\n

These operations targeted various noncompliance issues, including wage violations, immigration breaches, and safety standards.<\/p>\n

In a recent compliance inspection drive, the DEL collected over R10 million in fines from noncompliant employers.<\/p>\n

The department\u2019s efforts are set to intensify, with plans to expand the labour inspectorate from 2,000 to nearly 20,000 inspectors over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.<\/p>\n

This drive by the DEL aims to increase the capacity for thorough audits and inspections across the country.<\/p>\n

According to Minister Meth, the goal is not only to enforce compliance but also to promote social justice and safeguard workers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n

Meth emphasised that fair labour practices boost employee morale and productivity, ultimately contributing to a stronger economy.<\/p>\n

Legal experts have urged South African employers to take proactive measures to ensure compliance, particularly concerning the employment of foreign nationals.<\/p>\n

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) legal specialists advised<\/b> businesses to review the employment status of their foreign workers to avoid potential breaches of immigration, employment, and criminal laws.<\/p>\n

Other legal firms have also expressed a word of caution to employers in South Africa following the developments.<\/p>\n

South African law firm Dentons urged<\/b> businesses to adhere to the comprehensive immigration and employment laws that regulate the engagement of non-citizens in the workforce when employing foreign nationals.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstanding and complying with this legal framework is essential to ensure companies don\u2019t violate prescribed laws and avoid the consequences of noncompliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese laws govern work permits, visa requirements, and labour rights, ensuring that foreign workers are engaged lawfully and ethically,\u201d the firm said.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About South-Africa<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has revealed that 68 employers have been arrested with R680,000 in fines for violating employment and immigration laws, which is a stern warning to businesses hiring foreign workers in South Africa. 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