South Africa Employment Options For Non-Skilled Workers
Are you a part of the millions of prospective employees in South Africa who are rafting through a rough market with no formal qualifications? Locating South Africa jobs among the non-skilled employees may be overwhelming and this is due to the high unemployment rate in the country. But hope is not lost!
This is a detailed guide that has been supported by the latest labor statistics and just goes through the clutters to outline the high demand, entry-level jobs in major industries and sectors where your passions and work ethic are the most valued assets. We will demonstrate where the opportunities lie, what to expect to earn, and necessary legal protection in South Africa to the unskilled workers.
Unskilled Worker High-Demand Industries in SA
Even though highly skilled jobs are on the headlines (such as Software Development and Cybersecurity), the South Africa economy continues to be physically/labor intensive and Service Sector. These sectors are the ones offering the highest number of entry-level jobs and they are instrumental in the creation of low-skill jobs.
The strength of the service industry
The service industry has a constant demand of workers to directly interact and provide necessary support to customers and has a large number of unskilled labour opportunities.
- Domestic Worker / House Cleaner: This is still a vast category of employment. Such jobs as house cleaner, maid, nanny, or caretaker are always sought after in middle- to high-income households.
- Retail and Hospitality: Other jobs such as general assistant or cashier in Retail stores and Fast Food establishments (e.g., food service assistant) have the lowest requirements and are based on soft skills such as communication and reliability.
- Security Guard: As the worries on security and safety increase, there are high demands in the Security Guard jobs. Some certifications are also required, but the entry barrier is not that high, and it usually consists of on-the-job training.
Physical and Infrastructure Roles
The requirement of the economy to have basic infrastructure and maintenance of transportation and expansion generate constant demand of manual work.
- Construction Labourer: Construction projects always require the vacancies of general labourers. These low skilled labourers do important jobs such as preparation of the site, handling of materials and they also work as a road maintenance labourer.
- Industrial Cleaner / Building Maintenance Helper: The job encompasses all the jobs of an industrial cleaner in the factory up to building maintenance helper in the commercial building. The service of cleaning/Maintenance will always be needed.
- Warehousing & Logistics Assistant: With the e-commerce boom and the sophisticated supply chains, there are warehouse employees needed. The jobs of warehouse assistant/operations assistant include packing, sorting, and stock handling.
Protection of Low-Skill Jobs Labour Law
All unskilled workers, such as domestic worker and farmworkers, are in dire need to be aware of their rights in South African law. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), and applicable Sectoral Determinations are considered key sources of protection.
Key Employment Rights
- Written Contract: You have a legal right to a written employment contract, specifying your job responsibilities, working hours and pay.
- Working Hours: There is a limit on the working hours, not exceeding 45 ordinary hours in one week. The overtime should be paid at the rate of 1.5 of the regular wages.
- Leave: Workers have paid annual leave, sick and family responsibility leave.
- Social Security: Domestic workers and all other formal employees have to be enrolled in Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
The Foreign Landscape of Employment of Foreign Nationals
In case of a foreign national job seeking, it is extremely difficult to get engaged in the position of an unskilled foreign labourer because the unemployment level of South Africa is high.
The General Work Visa Process
General Work Visa is the primary avenue of foreigners and notoriously hard to obtain in non-skilled employment:
- Job Offer and DOL Clearance: The South African employer has to demonstrate having posted the job advert and despite making a good search could not find a suitably qualified South African citizen or permanent resident of the country to occupy the position. This happens to be the Labour Market Test, which entails the Department of Labor (DoL).
- Employer Sponsorship: You are obliged to find employer sponsorship and a signed employment contract.
- SAQA, DHA: You will also be required to send your foreign qualifications (where applicable) to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and lastly, send your visa application to the department of home affairs (DHA).
- BE WARY: Foreign workers are extremely susceptible to scams of employment and labour broker scams because of the complicated visa procedures. Always check up an advert and never pay any fee to get a job or a work permit.
FAQs
Which non-skilled job is the most demanded at the moment?
The Domestic Work sector (house cleaner, nanny) and being a General Labourer in the Construction and Warehousing and Logistics sectors are the most likely places where the unskilled workers will be most needed and because these sectors demand to be done with their hands on the job all the time.
How are domestic workers defended against unfair dismissal?
The workers under domestic workers are covered by the Labour Relations Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act. They cannot be retrenched without a sound reason and a just process even with or without being a live-in worker or a daily worker.
How can a foreign national get a job in South Africa without specialized skills?
It is extremely difficult. The most important qualification to the General Work Visa is that the employer must demonstrate that there is no South African who could occupy the position, which again, is barely achievable with an unskilled worker since the unemployment rate in South Africa is high.
Is there a possibility of on-job training of un-skilled jobs?
Yes. Entry-level positions in the Manufacturing sector (such as an assembly line worker or unskilled boilermaker) and the Service Sector have basic on-the-job training where you get to know how the company works, and the low-skill job becomes the stepping stone.
Is it a good place to begin with the informal sector?
The informal sector provides direct, yet temporary, revenue to the jobless people. But it offers minimal employee protections and the wages usually fall in to the low incomes bracket. It must be considered as a short-lived solution in the process of actively finding a formal job.
Final Thought
The journey towards finding strong South Africa employment opportunities among the non-skilled workers may prove challenging but there are openings to those that are strong and tactical in seeking job opportunities. Specialization in the main industries and sectors such as services and construction, learn laws governing employment such as minimum wage and concentrate on on job training to develop your experience. Even minor jobs are an opportunity to develop in the future.
Disclaimer
The information on this job is provided as education and information. Before application, make sure that information on the official employer or government site is accurate.