Fired for being foreign: how employers gave in to March and March threats
The Casual Workers Advice Office has recorded a sharp rise in reports of xenophobic labour practices in Gauteng
Immigrant workers in South Africa are facing harsh treatment and dismissal due to fears surrounding the March and March anti-immigration group's deadline on June 30. These workers have contributed to the UIF fund but are unable to claim benefits due to their employers' refusal to cooperate. Gugu Moyo, CWAO's immigrant liaison officer, said immigrant workers are being treated as "less than human" and are being exploited.
Over 100 cases have been taken on by CWAO since June, with many workers lacking the savings to leave the country. Rejoice Moyo, an immigrant worker for 17 years, was dismissed by her employer after receiving a threat from March and March. She was only paid for the days she worked in June and was not given notice pay or accrued annual leave.
Other workers, such as Nana and Sylvia from the Democratic Republic of Congo, have faced dismissal and even violence due to their status as foreigners. Monica Chifamba, a single mother from Zimbabwe, was dismissed without payment and now struggles to provide for her children. These workers fear for their lives and face xenophobia during election periods, feeling increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
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