Issued by: The Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet decided on 3 July 1996 that a renewed appeal be made to foreign companies operating in South Africa to demonstrate their support to the RDP, by refraining from appointing alien employees to positions which could be filled by South African citizens or permanent residents of the country, unless this was absolutely necessary. They should in this regard also provide for the training of local human resources.
The policy of the Department of Home Affairs is to encourage foreign investment because of its beneficial impact on both economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities for the local workforce. In this regard provision is made and applications virtually approved on a daily basis for the admission of key personnel. However the Department cannot, in the light of the grave unemployment situation in the country, grant work permits to aliens who do not possess special skills or qualifications not readily available in the Republic of South Africa, thereby depriving South African citizens and other permanent residents of their just expectations of earning a livelihood.
The existing regulations and amended legislation of the Department of Home Affairs are not aimed at clamping down the admission of key and other strategic personnel, necessary for the economic growth of businesses and the training of local personnel, but to bring South Africa in line with the regulations prevalent in other countries.
The decision when considering applications for work permits is not taken by the Department in isolation. Various relevant professional bodies, trade unions, industrial councils, as well as other Government Departments are consulted to ensure an objective decision. Consultation also takes place on a ongoing basis to determine the availability of suitably qualified local candidates to fill vacancies.
In light of the aforementioned, employers and major companies abroad with branches or subsidiaries in the RSA, wishing for staff to perform duty in South Africa for a period of time, must be able to satisfy the Department that they were unable to obtain the required personnel locally.
It should finally be stressed that within the framework of existing policy and legislation and against the background of the Government being duty-bound to protect employment opportunities for its citizens wherever possible, the Department of Home Affairs welcomes any investment from foreign companies and is not averse to granting work permits where key or highly skilled personnel are concerned.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
22 July 1996
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