01 June 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) notes Cabinet’s approval of the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) White Paper 2025 with a combination of caution and considered interest. As a trade union federation rooted in constitutional democracy, human rights, and inclusive economic development, FEDUSA recognises the complex balance the White Paper attempts to strike between national employment priorities and international labour standards.
FEDUSA has consistently advocated for a labour migration framework that is developmentally sound, constitutionally compliant, and non-discriminatory. Our longstanding position emphasises the need to protect decent work, combat exploitation in all its forms— irrespective of the worker’s nationality, and address systemic unemployment, particularly among South African youth, without resorting to scapegoating or xenophobic rhetoric.
The NLMP 2025 White Paper touches on legitimate concerns raised by our members in various sectors, concerns about job displacement, downward pressure on wages, and inconsistent application of labour laws across sectors employing migrant labour. We welcome the White Paper’s stated intent to tighten enforcement of labour and immigration laws and to regulate the employment of foreign nationals through sectoral quotas and enhanced work visa systems. These measures must be implemented transparently, equitably, and in full alignment with South Africa’s international obligations under the ILO and AU frameworks.
We are, however, concerned about the policy’s potential misuse as a political instrument, especially in a climate where socio-economic anxieties are often redirected toward vulnerable migrant communities. FEDUSA rejects xenophobia in all its forms.
As the policy enters the implementation phase, FEDUSA will closely monitor its impact across workplaces and will engage through NEDLAC and other social dialogue platforms to ensure that its outcomes are just, inclusive, and socially responsible. We remain committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all workers in Southy Africa, and to promoting a labour market that reflects the principles of fairness, unity, and equality enshrined in our Constitution.
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