Zimbabweans in SA to compete for only 35,000 jobs

At least 250 000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa who were issued with four-year quota permits in 2009 will compete for only 35 000 jobs with other foreigners following changes to immigration rules last week.

The permits held by Zimbabweans will expire in December 2014.

Last week, the South African government listed 35 000 positions as the only critical posts to be offered to foreigners.

According to South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, the list of critical skills has 53 categories and 35 000 positions.

All categories of work permits will be scrapped and a new critical skills work visa will be introduced.

The critical skills work visa will mirror the skills that South Africa desperately needs, according to the government.

Firms will be required to prove that they hired a foreigner because they had failed to find a suitably qualified South African.

It will be mandatory for every business to ensure 60 percent of employees are South African identity book holders or those with permanent residence status.

South Africa Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said in a statement that the new regulations would help the country continue to ensure effective and efficient immigration management.

He said this was in South Africa's security interests, in addition to promoting economic development and prosperity.

"These new regulations came into effect in May and effectively, this marked the commencement of the Immigration Amendment Acts of 2007 and 2011 and the new Immigration Regulations, 2014," he said.

"The Draft Regulations were published in the Government Gazette on 14 February 2014 for public comment. The closing date for public comment was 28 February 2014 but was extended to 7 March 2014 to allow for more submissions."