President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to strengthen penalties against companies that employ undocumented foreign nationals, warning that employers who break immigration laws will face tougher consequences.
Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, Ramaphosa said some businesses take advantage of undocumented workers by paying them significantly less than the country’s legally prescribed minimum wage.
He added that such practices not only exploit vulnerable workers but also hinder government efforts to create decent employment opportunities for South Africans.
South Africa To Increase Penalties For Immigration Law Violations
The president said the government intends to tighten sanctions against employers found guilty of breaching the Immigration Act.
“We are going to increase the penalties, including imprisonment, for employers who violate the Immigration Act. We cannot have a situation where employers who, after being charged and found guilty of violating our laws, merely pay a fine and continue employing undocumented foreign nationals whom they exploit.”
Ramaphosa indicated that the current system, which often allows offending employers to pay fines and continue operating as before, is no longer sufficient.
Ramaphosa Says Exploitation Of Undocumented Workers Must End
According to the president, companies that hire undocumented foreign nationals frequently do so because they can pay them far below the approved minimum wage.
He said this practice results in the exploitation of undocumented workers while simultaneously undermining broader government initiatives aimed at expanding access to decent jobs for South Africans.
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The announcement forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enforce labour and immigration laws more effectively and address unlawful employment practices.
