About 900 000 residents of Johannesburg are unemployed.

Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, councillor Herman Mashaba, has requested national government to come up with a solution to stop the employment of illegal immigrants.

Mashaba recently wrote to the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the number of businesses in Johannesburg employing undocumented immigrants.

“During my visit to the community, residents complained of how a neighbouring factory was employing 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 the more than 900 000 unemployed residents of Johannesburg,” he said.

According to Mashaba, these businesses also exploit undocumented immigrants who are unable to exercise their labour rights.

This situation allegedly stems from the failure 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 here looking for work.

“I trust that the Departments of Labour and Home Affairs, under the leadership of Ministers Oliphant and Gigaba, understand that we as government cannot hide our heads in the sand. Our residents must know that we take their concerns seriously and are actively addressing them. By doing so, we open up spaces for healthy dialogue in communities and correct unlawful conduct by unscrupulous business owners,” he added.

Section 38 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 provides that “no person shall employ an illegal foreigner; a foreigner whose status does not authorise him or her to be employed by such person; or a foreigner on terms, conditions or in a capacity different from those contemplated in such foreigner’s status”.

“I trust the Honourable Ministers will give this matter the urgent attention it requires,” Mashaba concluded.