Plugging the gaps in SA's scarce skills supply

Plugging the gaps in SA’s scarce skills supply

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However, there are critical gaps which require immediate attention.

Marisa Jacobs, head of immigration and mobility at Xpatweb, says South Africa should follow the international example: “Import the skills until you have the skills”.

The 2017 Critical Skills Survey, done by her firm, shows that 77% of the participants struggled to recruit “critically skilled” individuals locally, but 76% of the participants indicated that they could find the skills internationally. However, 90% found the process of recruiting internationally to be prohibiting.

Jacobs says this is largely a “perceived problem”. Although the process may be onerous in terms of the documentary burden and the time to process applications for work visas, it is not preventing firms from importing critical skills.

The survey found that employers and multinational companies found it most difficult to recruit engineers (22%). However, information, communication and technology (15%), financial specialists (10%) and specialised technical skills (9%) also prove to be tough areas to find people with the right skill sets.

The Department of Home Affairs published a list of at least 12 sectors where the country is in need of critical skills. This include agriculture, architecture, economics, information communication and technology, engineering and health professionals. This list has remained unchanged since 2014.

Government’s 2017 White Paper on International Migration sites the lack of strategy in the current international migration policy as contributing to the skills shortage. The result is South Africa’s inability to respond to the shortage issue.

The paper further states that the policy is not linked to the skills development and investment priorities of the country and prevents the country from effectively competing for requisite skills in a proactive and flexible manner.

Jacobs notes that in times of economic growth there may be specific skills that are immediately needed. There must be flexibility in the immigration system to allow for a quicker turn-around time in acquiring these skills internationally.

“Once the projects are off the ground the transferring of skills become critical for sustained growth in the country,” says Jacobs. However, the importance of importing skills until the country have the skills cannot be emphasised enough.

The white paper also states that the migration policy “lacks cooperative strategies for attracting and retaining international migrants with skills and capital, and a historic blindness to the retention of international students studying towards occupations that are needed by the economy”.

Jacobs further notes that companies in need of ICT specialists have found the skills they need in India, whilst companies in mining have been successful in attracting talent from Australia.

Statistics from the white paper indicate that from June 2014 to January 2016 the country issued permanent residency permits to 2 175 skilled foreigners. This represented 7% of the total permanent residency permits granted in the period.

This is a concern since the aim of the policy is to promote economic growth through the granting of business, critical skills, and study visas, government states in its white paper, Jacobs says.

She adds that the importation and retention of critical skills does not take away job opportunities from South Africans, since these skills are not available in the country.

South Africa is haemorrhaging high-skilled ICT professionals: Here's where they're going

South Africa is haemorrhaging high-skilled ICT professionals – here’s where they’re going

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Le Roux said that technology solutions providers are increasingly getting squeezed by the fact that they are unable to source enough locals to grow their businesses.

The fact that fewer than 60% of all rare skills visa applications for highly skilled foreigners are approved by the home affairs department further complicates the issue, he said.

Many of these so-called foreigners were expatriates from elsewhere in Africa who had lived and studied in South Africa for many years.

Le Roux said the haemorrhaging of high-skilled professionals who are choosing to leave South Africa for ‘greener pastures’ abroad is significantly adding to the problem.

“Because we deal with these workers on a daily basis and have built our company to where we are now thanks to their skill-set, we are probably more aware of the impact of this brain drain than most other employers in South Africa.”

Le Roux added that, although accurate figures for where these chose to settle were not readily available, it was evident from staff losses incurred by his own company and from discussions with colleagues in the ICT sector that Australia was their first choice closely followed by the United Kingdom and the US.

“The main points of attraction for local professionals is that in most cases their qualifications are fully recognised in these countries.

“They are also able in many instances to double or even triple their salaries overnight – at rates that we mostly are not able to compete with.”

Le Roux said a major bugbear for technology companies was the fact that it was extremely difficult and tedious to secure rare skills work visas for foreign nationals and even for non-residents who had graduated from South African universities.

“It is an absolute fact that we have to pay the same salaries and provide the same benefits that these men and women would have received off-shore. This is great for the graduates but it puts additional strain on South African technology companies who are wholly reliant on these workers to maintain and grow their businesses.

“Start-ups especially are having a very hard time in attracting the calibre of tech experts they need to get their companies off the ground.”

Le Roux said that it should be a national priority to keep  young engineers, programmers, software architects, telecommunications professionals and artificial intelligence experts in South Africa to not only create wealth for themselves but to create jobs for millions of unemployed South Africans.

Source: BusinessTech

Department of Home Affairs clamping down on illegal immigrant employment

Department of Home Affairs clamping down on illegal immigrant employment

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Marisa Jacobs, Immigration Specialist at Xpatweb, says that considering recent arrests that have been made, HR professionals, managers, business owners and CEOs need to make sure that systems are in place to ensure that expatriates are legally employed within their business.

“The Department of Home Affairs has warned that they will be increasing the number of audits and investigations among South African companies that employ foreign nationals. This isn’t an empty threat and they are clamping down on foreign nationals who contravene the act as well as employers who are illegally employing foreigners. Anyone who is deemed responsible for the appointment of the person could face repercussions which means that everyone from HR managers to CEOs could face fines or imprisonment,” says Jacobs.

Pitfall no.1: Employees job titles don’t match work visa job titles

Making sure that an employee’s job title matches the title on their work visa is a vital step to ensuring that foreigners are complying with the Act.

“It can happen that a company employs a foreign national and that the employee is promoted or moved within the business. When an employee changes jobs and their job title or position changes, their work visa may no longer comply with the conditions thereof. The process to update the visa so that it is in line with the work contract is relatively simple and straightforward, but it’s a step that many employers overlook, and this can put them at risk to non-compliance,” says Jacobs.

Pitfall no.2: Information on permits don’t match DHA system information

If a company has employed a foreign national already in possession of a visa, the company may not know if the worker’s visa is legitimate, whether it was obtained in the correct manner or even if it was issued by the DHA.

“In this case, we recommend that employers contact the DHA to check what information is on the system. This additional check beyond looking at a work visa is needed to ensure compliance with the Act,” says Jacobs.

Pitfall no.3: No skills transfer plan

Another potential pitfall that companies should take note of is the condition relating to the transfer of skills. Certain categories of work visas for foreign nationals stipulate that the skill that is being imported needs to be transferred to local citizens. If a company is audited by the DHA, the company may be asked to present their skills transfer plans.

“One of the main reasons South African businesses employ foreign nationals is because we don’t have the skills, knowledge or expertise within our borders. Having a skills transfer plan in place is a great opportunity for local employers to upskill their employees and give them an opportunity to learn from foreigners so that they can cultivate the skills that are needed within their business as well as the country. Besides requesting a copy of the company’s skills transfer plan, DHA may further request to interview people who have been earmarked to learn from the foreign nationals,” concludes Jacobs.

The importance of South African permanent residency to your expatriate / HR strategy

The Importance of South African Permanent Residency to your Expatriate / HR Strategy

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Since the release of the White Paper for International Migration in South Africa last year, more and more expatriates are seriously considering applying for Permanent Residency before this category is permanently removed from South African immigration law.

Why Permanent Residency?

Permanent Residency allows the holder to live and work in South Africa unlimitedly and includes the right to work without restriction, engage in business, own property, study and do all activities a citizen is permitted to do except for voting in the South African elections. You may only do the latter once you have been naturalised as a South African citizen. Permanent Residency in South Africa also allows its holder maximum flexibility with regards to entry and exit through the country’s borders.

Where an expatriate and family hold this status, they no longer need to go through the work and residency visa process and for all practical purposes this means that the employer deals with a normal South African employee.

What does the Act say?

Permanent Residency is granted to a foreigner who can meet the criteria as set out in Sections 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act of 2002, as amended, and Regulations 23 and 24 respectively.

Section 26 is applicable to foreigners who have been residing in South Africa based on their work visas for a minimum period of five years and is also applicable to spouses and dependents of South African citizens or Permanent Residency permit holders.

Section 27 is applicable to foreigners who are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa, have exceptional skills and qualifications, intend to establish a business in South Africa, qualify as refugees, qualify as retired persons, are financially independent, are relatives (biologically or judicially adopted) of a South African citizen or Permanent Residency permit holder or have been in a spousal relationship with a South African citizen for more than 5 years.

A word of caution

Always keep in mind any adverse tax and exchange control considerations, meaning that whilst Permanent Residency may at first glance appear like a good idea from an entry perspective, from a holistic planning perspective, it may be considered a less favourable choice. This is where holistic consideration becomes important, i.e. the fiscal aspects and tax planning must be considered as part of the service.

Useful Facts:

  • The status of a Permanent Resident does not affect the holder’s citizenship. The Permanent Resident can obtain a South African identity book endorsed as “non-citizen”, but not a South African passport.
  • In some categories or instances, certain conditions are attached to the Permanent Resident permits issued.
  • The Permanent Resident process takes approximately 4 – 10 months and sometimes longer.
  • Spending a significant amount of time outside the country can result in loss of Permanent Residency.
  • Traveling in and out of South Africa becomes much easier and the tedious need for extending visas becomes a thing of the past.

Why permanent residency is important for expats

25 illegal immigrants nabbed for contravening immigration act

25 illegal immigrants nabbed for contravening Immigration Act

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At least 25 illegal foreign nationals has been arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, Cape Town Police said on Thursday.

The labour and home affairs departments accompanied by the police raided several Cape Town businesses alleged to be employing illegal immigrants after receiving complaints. The raids were conducted in China City in Milnerton and Canal Walk in Century City.

Twenty five illegal foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

”Random inspections at places of employment are conducted to ensure employers of foreign nationals comply with immigration laws. Employing foreigners who are not in possession of enabling documents is an offence. The department, working in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, will continue to enforce immigration legislation with no respite.’

The raids were carried out after several complaints were lodged with the departments.

Source: African News Agency/ANA

South African law enforcement agencies launch raids on illegal immigrants

South African law enforcement agencies have successfully conducted raids on illegal immigrants in Cape Town, rounding up a total of 25 suspects, authorities said on Thursday.

The raids were launched on Wednesday in two areas frequented by illegal immigrants, said Thabo Mokgola, spokesperson of the Department of Home Affairs.

The 25 illegal foreign nationals were arrested for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act, according to Mokgola.

More illegal immigrants will be arrested as investigations are continuing, he said.

Law enforcement agencies also arrested a manager at one of the restaurants that were visited, said Mokgola.

The manageer, he said, will be charged for contravention of the Immigration Act, which prohibits employment of illegal foreign nationals in South Africa.

Random inspections at places of employment are conducted to ensure that employers of foreign nationals comply with immigration laws, Mokgola said.

Employing foreigners who are not in possession of enabling documents is an offence, he added.

“Those who persist in flouting immigration and labor laws of the country will face the full might of the law,” Mokgola warned.

This is in support of the national drive towards safer communities wherein citizens and documented foreign nationals are and feel safe, he added.

Source: Coastweek.com

Illegal Nationals Arrested, including an Employer, as Dept. of Home Affairs Continue Inspections

South African law enforcement agencies have successfully conducted raids on illegal immigrants in Cape Town, rounding up a total of 25 suspects, authorities said on Thursday.

The 25 illegal foreign nationals were arrested for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act, according to Thabo Mokgola, spokesperson of the Department of Home Affairs. He said more illegal immigrants will be arrested as investigations are continuing.

Mokgola confirmed law enforcement agencies also arrested a manager at one of the restaurants that were visited. The manager, he said, will be charged for contravention of the Immigration Act, which prohibits employment of illegal foreign nationals in South Africa. Mokgola went on to say that random inspections at places of employment are conducted to ensure that employers of foreign nationals comply with immigration laws. Employing foreigners who are not in possession of enabling documents is an offence, he added.

“Those who persist in flouting immigration and labour laws of the country will face the full might of the law,” Mokgola warned. He said this is in support of the national drive towards safer communities wherein citizens and documented foreign nationals are and feel safe.

Source: Independent.ng

Media Statement of Immigration and Labour Raids in Cape Town

In response to complaints lodged, the Departments of Home Affairs and Labour, in conjunction with the SA police, conducted raids on businesses employing illegal foreign nationals, in Cape Town on Wednesday, 09 May 2018.

The raids were conducted in China City in Milnerton and Canal Walk in Century City. In total, 25 illegal foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. The number of those arrested is expected to increase as investigations are continuing. A manager at one of the restaurants that were visited will be charged for contravention of the Immigration Act, which prohibits employment of illegal foreign nationals in South Africa.

Random inspections at places of employment are conducted to ensure employers of foreign nationals comply with immigration laws. Employing foreigners who are not in possession of enabling documents is an offence. The department, working in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, will continue to enforce immigration legislation with no respite.

Those who persist in flouting immigration and labour laws of the country will face the full might of the law. This is in support of the national drive towards safer communities wherein citizens and documented foreign nationals are and feel safe.

Source: Department Home Affairs

 

25 illegal immigrants nabbed for contravening Immigration Act

 

South African law enforcement agencies launch raids on illegal immigrants

 

Illegal Nationals Arrested, including an Employer, as Dept. of Home Affairs Continue Inspections