Good day,

I am writing to formally oppose the Employment Services Amendment Bill [B16–2026].

South Africa is facing an unacceptable level of unemployment, and South Africans should not have to compete for limited job opportunities without clear, enforceable protections that prioritise local work seekers. Our government has a responsibility to address unemployment and ensure that South Africans have a fair opportunity to access jobs in their own country.

My concern is that the Bill introduces a framework for regulating the employment of foreign nationals without sufficiently guaranteeing that these measures will translate into meaningful employment opportunities for South Africans. Policies cannot simply promise to regulate the labour market; they must demonstrate how they will protect local workers, improve access to employment and hold employers accountable.

We need stronger enforcement, transparent reporting and clear evidence that South African job seekers are being prioritised before foreign recruitment is permitted. We also need to ensure that labour migration does not undermine wages, working conditions or opportunities for unemployed citizens.

I therefore oppose the Bill in its current form and call on the Committee to reconsider it. South Africa cannot afford legislation that fails to provide adequate, measurable and enforceable protections for its own unemployed population. Addressing unemployment must be a priority in practice, not merely an objective written into legislation.

I request that my objection be formally considered as part of the public consultation process.

Regards,