Home Affairs called to answer for remote work visa delays

28 March 2023

I will be inviting the National Department of Home Affairs to the Western Cape Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism, to account for the inexcusable delays in implementing a remote work visa.

The implementation of a remote work visa is a guaranteed shortcut to boost economic activity that must not be wasted. Remote workers already have a steady income in foreign currency, and every cent they spend in our country contributes to the growth of our economy and the expansion of job opportunities.

The Western Cape Government, through its Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), has been advocating for the implementation of a remote work visa since 2021, making multiple detailed proposals to Home Affairs on how such a visa could work in South Africa. And yet, this visa has not been adopted yet, raising the question as to whether the ANC ever plan to follow through on the promises of President Ramaphosa.

When National Government cannot even be bothered to implement a sure-fire boost to economic growth, it is clear as day that they are not serious about addressing unemployment in this country.

The Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Wesgro, the City of Cape Town, the Airports Company South Africa, and National Department Transport will also be invited to make presentations to the committee.

The committee will interrogate these stakeholders on the successes and failures of the summer tourism season in the Western Cape, with the goal of identifying bottlenecks that can be addressed to ensure we keep building on the momentum of this season.

Only the DA takes its responsibility of oversight seriously, and will hold government departments that do not meet their responsibilities to account through all of the constitutional mechanisms that are available to us.

Issued by Cayla Murray, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism, 28 March 2023