Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16-2026) Introduced

Posted 15 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Labour

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Department of Employment and Labour has introduced the Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16—2026) to Parliament, establishing legal frameworks under the National Labour Migration Policy to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa.

In terms of the legislative program of the Department of Employment and Labour, the Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16—2026) has been introduced to the National Assembly. The Bill proposes substantial amendments to the Employment Services Act, No. 4 of 2014, aiming to address domestic unemployment by regulating the employment of foreign nationals and implementing the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP).

The proposed legislative changes focus on several critical regulatory areas:

  • Establishing quotas for the employment of foreign nationals in specific economic sectors, particularly lower-skilled sectors.
  • Formulating guidelines and requirements for employers to satisfy before hiring foreign nationals, including demonstrating that local skills are unavailable.
  • Introducing stricter enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliant employers.
  • Aligning employment services with the broader objectives of the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP).

The Bill is currently under parliamentary review by the National Assembly. The next phase of the legislative process will involve public participation hearings managed by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.

Click here to download the Employment Services Amendment Bill (B16—2026).

For further government updates regarding foreign worker quotas and employer penalties, view the SA Government News Portal.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; however, professional advisors must familiarise themselves with the proposed quota systems and penalty frameworks to advise corporate structures effectively.
  • For your business: Human resource and compliance departments must prepare to audit current workforce demographics and review recruitment policies to ensure alignment with potential sector-specific foreign national quotas.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients employing foreign nationals, particularly in lower-skilled or highly regulated sectors, must be advised of the impending quota restrictions and the risk of increased statutory penalties for non-compliance.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/doel-employment-services-amendment-bill

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