The amendment of the Employment Services Act, 2014, will assist in extending the scope of the Act to cover private employment agencies not operating for gain; to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa in a manner consistent with the objects of the Act, the Immigration Act, 2002 and the Refugees Act, 1998; to expand the scope of the Act to cover employees and workers; and to also expand the functions of the Employment Services Board and the powers of the Minister to make regulations in respect of matters related to labour migration.
This was said at the National Labour Migration Policy Dialogue held by the Department of Employment and Labour this morning in Potchefstroom as part of the ongoing stakeholder engagement sessions aimed at advocating and also soliciting support and inputs on the policy.
The session follows the issuing of the draft National Labour Migration Policy and Draft Employment Services Bill by Minister TW Nxesi in 2022. The key purpose of the dialogue was to facilitate the sharing of innovative practices related to labour migration and governance, in particular putting into practice social dialogue by implementing a tripartite plus approach; Identifying labour migration governance progress since the release of the draft policy; gaps and challenges in the country and main opportunities to consider in the SADC region; and to provide a platform for tripartite partners to re-organize and re-strategize labour migration governance.
Speaking at the Session, Esther Tloane, Chief Director: of Public Employment Services said the vision of the National Labour Migration Policy is to give effect to efficient and effective Government leadership and interventions supported by social partners and all major stakeholders, allowing for safe, orderly and regulated migration for effective employment of highly, semi- and low- skilled workers to and from South Africa, in pursuit of the country's national priorities. “the Policy seek to achieve a balance between, South African population expectations, South Africa's labour market needs, the protection of migrant workers and their families, as well as the Regional integration and cooperation imperatives".
The session focused on four key areas which are:
Different stakeholders such as Government Departments, State-owned Entities, Local and District Municipalities, Employers, Social Partners (Business, Community and Organised Labour), Religious Leaders, Traditional Leaders, and Non-governmental Organisations were in attendance.
For media enquiries kindly contact:
Botsang Huma
Provincial Communication Officer
Department of Employment and Labour
Cell: 082 497 7438
Email: botsang.huma@labour.gov.za
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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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