Government has kept its promise to engage road freight industry and has committed to speed up the policy changes with regards to road freight following the recent widespread protests by truck owners and drivers.

Two weeks ago, Government promised to meet the aggrieved truckers and drivers who ostensibly complained about foreign nationals who are taking up their work opportunities and lack of strict regulation in this industry within the country.

In a meeting that lasted well into the night, the Ministers of Employment and Labour, and Home Affairs and Deputy Minister of Police, officials of the Department of Transport, and other affected departments, committed to speed up policy changes to address some of the issues that had been raised.

These include the employment of foreign nationals – especially undocumented foreign nationals as well as those who arrive in the country as visitors but end up taking employment which is prohibited.

Minister Thulas Nxesi acknowledged the concerns of trucking and other industries problems with regard to employment of foreign nationals. Further, he noted the various initiatives and meetings held　to try and resolve ongoing challenges with regard to:

 

• Registration of Forums into formal unions

 

 

• Collective bargaining related matters

 

 

• Attitude and conduct of some employers in the sector who are accused of preferring to employ foreign national because they can exploit them.

 

"There are Home Affairs and Employment and Labour policy initiatives to address migration and related policy initiatives. However, I would like to appeal to those who feel aggrieved to desist from intimidation, road disruptions, undermining of existing laws and structures. We made a promise to meet the industry and we are committed to ensure that a workable solution is found through legislation and other means. We also encouraged that existing Forums at National and Provincial level take the opportunity to find solutions," said Minister Nxesi.

This was echoed by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who assured the industry that the Border Management Authority (BMA) is being set up and will be engaging the trucking sector. In this regard, the Minister introduced the newly appointed BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato and Deputy Commissioner for Operations David Chilembe to the stakeholders and implored them to sit together to develop plans to deal with the challenges at the border. Both Commissioner Masiapato and Deputy Commissioner Chilembe started their jobs on Tuesday, 02 November 2021.

"In the next few weeks, there will be far-reaching leadership and policy interventions by BMA as well as a number of initiatives that we have been involved in to resolve issues around this matter," said Minister Motsoaledi.
The Transport department is addressing licensing and other issues including:

 

• Cross border transport relations

 

 

• Foreign drivers issued licenses

 

 

• Fake licences

 

 

• Prosecution of non-complying employers, and

 

 

• Discrimination against local drivers by the industry

 

The joint inspection undertaken to address non-compliance in the freight sector will also be intensified with law enforcement including migration and road traffic and South African Police Services playing a much more active role.

Government further committed to do a scan of migration and transport legislation impacting negatively on RSA drivers as well as implementing tough measures against employers who continue to employ people without proper documentation.

"Government prides itself in providing information in an open and transparent manner. We will continue to consult and involve all relevant parties as we continue to resolve this matter," said Minister Nxesi.

Both Ministers, Deputy Minister and officials in the meeting are in full agreement that any employer who hires an undocumented person must be brought to book./Ends