Slowing trade

Tuesday, 04 May 2010 06:27

New visa requirements for drivers

Integrating transport networks across borders as a means to drive economic development is a stated goal of the New Partnership for African Development (Nepad), yet a recent announcement by the Department of Home Affairs seems to go against the grain of this intention.

According to a report by the Road Freight Association (RFA), foreign drivers or staff members on vehicles will be prevented from entering South Africa unless they are in possession of valid work permits.

Until now, the standard practice has been for foreign drivers to enter on a 30-day visitor’s visa – sufficient time for them to do their business and leave.

The RFA quotes immigration specialist Leon Isaacson as saying that foreign drivers of foreign-registered vehicles will have to carry the documentation required to be issued with a "Visitor’s Permit with Permission to Work". Failing this, the vehicle will be stuck at the border.

Foreign drivers of South African registered vehicles will have to produce a work permit; alternatively, they will need to show proof that the application has been submitted and is pending at the Department of Home Affairs.

According to Isaacson, the best option for most transport companies would be a corporate permit, pre-approved by the Departments of Trade & Industry and Labour, granting a company enough permits for its needs.

In other words: more red tape. Is this not a step backward in terms of integrating the regional economies of southern Africa?

According to RFA spokesperson Gavin Kelly, the answer is a qualified affirmative.

“Companies will need to follow an administrative process with Home Affairs (not something anyone does voluntarily anymore) to (a) apply for work permits, (b) collate proof of individuals identity and pay the necessary permit fees, and (c) repeat this process annually.

“There is the possibility (as required for other categories of work permits) that operators will have to prove that no one else in South Africa is able to perform the work (i.e. that there are NO drivers available). THAT will be difficult, given the excess numbers of drivers currently experienced due to layoffs and operator closures. Work permits are historically based on importing skilled labour due to shortages in the country.

“A work permit and an entry permit (visa) are not the same thing – and YES, you need various permits (visas) to enter different countries. This HAS always been the case, hence the special dispensation created some time ago for visiting permits (for drivers to move through countries as they transport goods). Essentially, they were similar to transit permits (but the person physically entered the country, which was a problem)," he adds.

“A step backwards – in terms of creating a revenue flow – no. In terms of easier trade and freer movement – yes, definitely a move backwards.”