Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba has once again called on national government intervention in illegal immigration in Joburg. This time targeting businesses who employ undocumented immigrants.
Mashaba said he wrote to both the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, and Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, requesting an urgent meeting.
The mayor said concerns were raised with him during a visit to Slovo Park earlier this week by residents claiming factories employ undocumented immigrants in contravention of the law.
“By employing undocumented immigrants, these business owners are flouting immigration and labour laws and acting against the interest of over just
900 000 residents in Johannesburg who are unemployed,”Mashaba said.
He said there is also a concern for the undocumented immigrants, who are unable to exercise labour rights of their own or be forced to work under unsafe conditions.
“This situation continues to stem from the failures of national government to guard our borders and address the crisis of illegal immigration in our country. Johannesburg remains at the epicentre of the situation, as many foreign migrants come looking for work.”
The mayor said that although the focus is on employers to abide by the law, the national government has the responsibility to enforce the law and ensure that consequences are faced.
If found guilty of knowingly employing an illegal foreigner, employers can face up to one year in prison.
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