​The Department of Employment and Labour in Gauteng Province is set to embark on the roadshows on the 24^th of May 2022 at Alberton Civic Theatre, Ekurhuleni and on the 27^th of May 2022 at Vootrekker Munument in Pretoria, respectively. The aim of the roadshow is to present the draft National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) as part of the public consultation process in order to obtain the views of the stakeholders in the province.

The draft NLMP came into being after numerous consultations with different stakeholders in the country and abroad. The aim of the NLMP is to assist the country to address the deepening unemployment challenges whilst at the same ensuring that South Africa complies with international conventions related to the management of labour migration issues. In this context, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi points out that the NLMP process must seek to address "the needs and expectations of its citizenry as well as those of its partners in the region".

The Minister further indicated that the time is here and now where South Africa needs to apply innovation and enforce radical policy transformation in the area of labour migration. In this regard, Minister said that "It has become increasingly apparent, with the rapid expansion of international migration flows that South Africa needs to develop appropriate policy effectively to manage this".

Furthermore, the Minister said that the South African labour market is currently unable to create decent employment for all citizens and for that the unemployment rate particularly amongst youth has increased drastically. This should be of great concern mostly to government and employers.　

He encouraged all South Africans and in particular social partners to take advantage of this initiative by ensuring that their voices are registered in so far as the labour migration issues are concerned, and in so doing assist the country to achieve its developmental objectives for the benefit of the country.

Sekhothali.Lekalakala@labour.gov.za