STOP FOREIGNERS
REPORTS that some foreigners who come into the country as expatriates and investors end up working as cashiers and security guards contrary to the law, should not be ignored but addressed expeditiously.
The reports are not surprising given the impunity with which some foreign nationals are breaching the laws of the land and even taking over jobs and businesses exclusively meant for Zambians.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon in Zambia to find foreigners working as cashiers and security guards in some foreign–owned shops, jobs that are a preserve for locals.
Some so-called investors have unashamedly even gone to the extent of rearing and selling chickens and second hand clothes in markets contrary to the law and consequently disadvantaging Zambians.
If foreign nationals take up such basic jobs as cashiers and security guards in shops of their kith and kin, where does this leave ordinary Zambians?
It is undeniable that some foreigners have taken advantage of the docile nature of Zambians and the seemingly fragile immigration and labour controls to break the country’s laws at will.
Everywhere in the world, Zambia is no exception, immigration and labour laws are very clear on such matters.
No foreigner who comes in as an expatriate worker for instance, is allowed to engage in other ventures other than what is stipulated on his or her permit. The same applies to investors but clearly, this is not the case in Zambia.
Understandably, there are many cases of foreigners who are in the country on work permits but are currently engaged in ventures that are not in line with their permits.
Radical Revolution Party (RRP) president Vincent Chaile’s concerns over the matter and appeal to the government to tackle this situation should not be taken lightly.
We agree with Mr Chaile that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security should reverse this unfortunate trend by tightening the labour laws to save jobs meant for Zambians.
While foreign labour, just like investment is required in certain critical areas, this does not apply to jobs and businesses that can be done by Zambians.
This happens in other countries too where certain jobs are strictly reserved for citizens while employment for foreigners is strictly done under a quota system depending on the field.
Sadly, persistent orders by the government for foreigners not to engage in businesses and jobs meant for Zambians appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
This has resulted in businesses of indigenous Zambians collapsing because foreigners’ business ventures are usually well-financed compared to those belonging to the locals.
Some foreign-owned companies, have for instance, continued to employ foreigners to man human resource units contrary to the directive by Government to leave such jobs for Zambians because the country has enough qualified manpower.
It is therefore only proper that Government should through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security urgently consider looking into this matter because if left unchecked, Zambians will end up as second class citizens in their own country.
The problem, in our view, is not that Zambia doesn’t have adequate labour and immigration laws to stop what is happening but lack of capacity to enforce the law effectively.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security should work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to seal all loopholes by strengthening the laws perceived to be weak, if any, to effectively monitor the situation on the ground.
Government would therefore do well to build capacity of the ministry’s inspectorate wing to enable inspectors efficiently carry out their duties.
Culprits found breaching labour laws, should be sent packing back to their countries of origin to serve as a lesson to others - there should no sacred cows!