Parliament, Monday, 26 October 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has urged South Africans, organised labour, business formations, civil society organisations and other interested stakeholders to submit written comments on the Employment Services Amendment Bill [B 16–2026] before the 6 November 2026 deadline.
Following its initial call for input, the committee strongly emphasises that this final window is the public’s primary opportunity to shape proposed amendments that will directly regulate the employment of foreign nationals, introduce stricter compliance penalties and alter South Africa’s labour market dynamics.
Committee Chairperson Mr Boyce Maneli said the committee had noted the ongoing public debate about the Bill and its objectives following its initial call for public input. He encouraged all sectors of society, whether supportive of or opposed to the proposed amendments, to make their voices heard through Parliament’s public participation process.
“Since issuing the initial call for public comments more than a month ago, we have seen robust debate on social media and other platforms. We encourage South Africans to share those diverse views directly with Parliament by submitting written comments by 6 November 2026. This public participation process gives Parliament an opportunity to consider diverse perspectives as it processes the proposed legislation. We therefore urge all interested stakeholders to make their voices heard,” said Mr Maneli.
The Bill proposes amendments to the Employment Services Act of 2014 to, among other things, strengthen the regulation of foreign nationals’ employment, enhance enforcement, establish a legislative framework for labour migration and expand the Employment Services Board’s functions.
The amendments also seek to align foreign nationals’ employment with applicable labour and immigration legislation and address compliance and worker-protection concerns.
The Bill also empowers the Minister of Employment and Labour to set strict maximum quotas on foreign workers across economic sectors, mandating rigorous local recruitment tests and skills-transfer plans.
Interested parties should clearly state their views on the proposed provisions, identify concerns and, where possible, recommend changes for consideration during the parliamentary process.
Address written submissions to the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, for the attention of Mr Zolani Sakasa, and email them to employmentservicesbill@parliament.gov.za by Friday, 6 November 2026, at 16h00.
Stakeholders wishing to make a verbal presentation at the forthcoming parliamentary public hearings should indicate this in their written submissions.
The Employment Services Amendment Bill [B 16–2026] is available at https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Bills/2026/B16-2026_Employment_Services.pdf
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR, MR BOYCE MANELI.
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