Department of Home Affairs Deputy Director-General Jackie McKay today Tuesday, 15 February briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on changes to the Immigration Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
This follows a series of public hearings during which various sectors commented on the proposed changes to the Act contained in the Immigration Amendment Bill.
Significantly, and in line with government’s priority to make 2011 The Year of Jobs, the department has proposed that foreign nationals with business interests in South Africa employ citizens or permanent residents comprising of not less than 80 percent of the staff compliment of the business, as permanent staff in the prescribed categories, within a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the visa. Prescribed categories will be determined by, amongst others, the Department of Trade and Industry.
Parties also agreed that some form of pre-screening of those seeking asylum in South Africa, relating to entry requirements in terms of the Immigration Act, rather than the Refugees Act was necessary. This will assist the country deal with, for instance, fugitives from justice who are seeking refuge in South Africa. Once an asylum seeker has been successfully pre-screened, he or she will be directed to the closest Refugee Reception Office where his or her entry into South Africa will be processed according to the Refugee Act.
Some of the other suggested changes proposed by department officials following deliberations in the committee include the decreased sentences for officials and foreign nationals implicated in fraudulent and corrupt practices.
Parties will continue to deliberate upon the issues presented by the department following which the Bill will be voted on in the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee before being voted on by the National Assembly.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
