SAFTU backs the Employment Services Amendment Bill

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has expressed its support for the Employment Services Amendment Bill. The bill aims to regulate labour migration and protect jobs by updating the Employment Services Act of 2014. SAFTU's General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, emphasized the importance of enforcing labour laws, safeguarding both South African and migrant workers, and tackling the root causes of unemployment through economic growth and job creation.

Vavi believes that the previous regime failed to ensure proper monitoring, hence the need for regulation. He highlighted the bill's focus on enforceability, accountability, and setting indicative numbers for the employment of migrant labor. Vavi stressed that the government must enforce the legislation while maintaining transparency.

He expressed concerns about the government's ability to enforce the legislation, the availability of trained labor inspectors, reliable verification systems, and public reporting on employer compliance. Vavi also warned against the potential exploitation of the bill by employers to replace existing workers with migrant labor.