JOHANNESBURG - Illegal immigration undermines government's efforts to create decent work for South Africans, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
While addressing the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa said government would enforce harsher penalties on employers who hire illegal migrants in their businesses.
"They employ undocumented immigrants because their legal status means they cannot stand up for their own rights," he says.
"They pay them below the minimum wage and make them work longer hours without due compensation," he adds.
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Ramaphosa says such acts undermine fair competition and opportunities for South Africans. Up to recently, the Department of Labour and Employment could only fine the employers a penalty.
"We are going to increase the penalties, including imprisonment for employers who violate our Immigration Act," says Ramaphosa.
Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya says the enactment of the Employment Services Amendment Bill will allow them to apply stricter sanctions on employers violating Employment and immigration laws.
The Bill seeks to amend the 2014 Act to better regulate the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa. It also aims to prevent worker exploitation and enhance job opportunities for citizens.
"It has gone past legal scrutiny and it is Parliament's process that will determine how soon we can start," said Sibiya.
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Once enacted, employers can face criminal charges if found to be in contravention of the law.
The President, in his address, did not mention when the Bill will be enacted, however indicated, it is something supported by Cabinet.
"They undermine labour laws and standards," says Ramaphosa.
"They undermine fair competition and opportunities for South Africans."
He added, "we need to work together in accordance with our Constitution, our laws, and our international obligations to tackle illegal immigration, and we must do so without resorting to violence, intimidation or victimisation".