The issue of illegal immigrants working in Newcastle’s industrial area has persisted for a long time. In fact, law enforcement and the KZN Department of Employment and Labour have frequently conducted operations to inspect the working conditions of factory workers and to identify numerous illegal immigrants within the industrial sector.
With illegal immigrants continuing to find employment in Newcastle, the question arises: will this issue finally be addressed?
This follows the Newcastle Municipality conducting a crucial engagement session on Tuesday, 9 July 2024, to tackle the challenge of informal trading by immigrants in Newcastle.
In a dynamic move, Newcastle Mayor, Cllr Xolani Dube, hosted the session with representatives from the Ethiopian, Chinese, and Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in the Municipality’s Exco Room. The primary goal was to address issues relevant to the operations within the industrial area and tackle the pressing concern of undocumented foreigners in Newcastle.
During his address, Mayor Dube voiced his disappointment over the rising unemployment rates in Newcastle, especially since the city is a notable textile industrial hub. Furthermore, Cllr Dube emphasised that many industries within the Municipality’s jurisdiction are not contributing to the city’s economic growth due to the lack of registration of certain businesses within the industrial area.
In conclusion, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit explained that Mayor Dube urged the delegations to encourage their communities to register their businesses with the Local Economic Development office situated within Newcastle Municipality.
“By doing so, they can contribute to the formal economy and help drive sustainable growth and employment opportunities in the region,” noted the Communications Unit.
Furthermore, the Communications Unit also highlighted that the Ethiopian, Chinese, and Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce acknowledged the concerns raised. They committed to working collaboratively with the Newcastle Municipality to address these issues.
According to the Communications Unit, this engagement marks a significant step towards fostering cooperation and ensuring a harmonious and prosperous future for all business operators in Newcastle.
With the Newcastle Municipality now stepping up and urging the respective Chambers of Commerce to address the issue of employing illegal immigrants and registering their businesses, what are your thoughts on the above?
Be sure to share your views in the comment section below.
