Immigration to appoint skills Boards

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday April 12, 2017 15:48

 

For example, if a person applies for a teaching job, a Board with people specialising in that skill will be appointed to look into the application.

Currently there has been one board that oversees all applications.

Section 11 of the Act is amended by inserting immediately after subsection 4.

This which gives the Minister the power to establish on an ad hoc basis, such immigrants sector –specific selection Boards referred as sector specific Board she/he considers necessary, for the purpose of performing the following functions such as to issue permits in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

And to perform such other functions as may be conferred on it by regulations under this Act.

The Bill says the specific  Board shall consist of number of members of the Board set out in subsection 2, which are number of suitably qualified persons who are not members of the Board.

It says the Minister shall appoint the chairperson of a sector specific Board from amongst the members of the board set out.

However the members shall hold office for such time as the Minister may direct.

The meetings of a sector specific Board shall be held as when necessary, and shall be convened in accordance with the directions of the chairperson of the sector specific Board.

At the meeting of a sector –specific Board, a quorum shall be formed if at least half the members of the Board are present.

Meanwhile, Parliament on its third session passed seven Bills, which include Appropriation 2017/2018 Bill 2017 (Bill no 2 of 2017), Supplementary Appropriation (2015/2016) Bill, 2017 (Bill no 4 of 2017), Court of Appeal amendment, Emergency Water Security and Efficiency project (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan authorisation), immigration amendment, income tax presidents’ pension and retirement benefits.

Only two Bills were referred to Ntlo ya Dikgosi. They include Deeds Registry and Tribal Land Bills. One Bill for citizenship was deferred to a later date and seven Bills were presented and read for the first time.