Policy makers want immigration laws softened
Baboki Kayawe | Friday March 3, 2017 15:41
While it is necessary for the country to take care of its interests first, and ensure security, minister of Health and Wellness, also Member of Parliament for Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency Dorcus Makgato, Tuesday called on the minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Edwin Batshu to give leeway for career women to engage foreign domestic workers since locals shun the work.
Batshu, who was presenting his ministerial budget proposals to the Committee of Supply, is worried about the influx of illegal immigrants.
“It is however noted with concern, that despite government’s effort to control illegal migration into the country, some Batswana continue to offer them jobs that otherwise could have been secured by Batswana,” he lamented.
“While we need to take care of our interests first and foremost, there is need to allow foreign nationals work permits to take up domestic work because our people do not want to engage in such work,” Makgato said.
She said as much as men have access to herdmen, easing their professional and career growth, the law must not sideline career women through denying them access to domestic work services. Makgato argued that that would perpetuate the plight of women who are historically disadvantaged.
She further advocated for a raise of the Women Empowerment Fund to not less than P500,000.
Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse said it is worrying that as of December 2016, 12,688 applications for residence and work permits were received of which 10,648 were approved while 2,040 were rejected.
“The numbers of rejections are still high for a country that is still struggling with skilled personnel in science and engineering and Foreign Direct Investment,” he said.
It is however noted with concern, that despite Government’s effort to control illegal migration into the country, some Batswana continue to offer them jobs that otherwise could have been secured by Batswana. There are those whose desire to continue staying and working in Botswana as professionals or investors was thwarted by way of revoking their permits or rejecting applications for renewals, he added.
He further said investors are creatures of certainty and are very sensitive to an uncertain environment.
“There is no how we can attract FDI and skilled personnel if it remains uncertain to foreigners that their stay in the country is safeguarded,” he said.
Consequently, businesses have been affected and many people have been left unemployed because foreign employers were kicked out for no reasons, continued Keorapetse.
This has bred corruption, he argued.
“This has also increased incidents of corruption where some foreigners resort to buying their stay in the country by bribing senior officials in the ministry,” he said.
Keorapetse recommended the policy be reviewed and the Department of Intelligence Security must be completely removed from dealing with issues of permits and visas, as “they have become a very costly nuisance”.
Buti Billy of Francistown West pleaded for the shortening of time to renounce citizenship inorder for one to qualify for Botswana citizenship as the country awaits implementation of dual citizenry.
“As it is, the process takes long and has far reaching implications for instance it affects learners who need to progress to the next level of education,” he said.
He argued that learners born in foreign countries hence qualifying for respective citizenships of those countries have incurred inconveniences upon returning home.
Meanwhile, Batshu proposed P48 million be approved for the Department of Gender Affairs. This is an increase of P30,2 million of the 2016/17 budget allocation.
“The reason for the increase is to cater for the Women Economic Empowerment Programme,” he said.