Cape Town - The provincial legislature is to hold public hearings into how immigration regulations implemented in May have affected the Western Cape economy.
Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde and the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry have objected to the implementation of the regulations, saying they could slow economic growth and jobs.
DA MPL Beverley Schäfer, chairwoman of the standing committee on agriculture and economic development, said the legislature would hold hearings on September 25 and 26 on the new regulations.
She said the committee had invited representatives from the government, business and Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, who is responsible for the regulations.
“The tourism sector, which contributes R18.5 billion to our economy, will be particularly affected,” Schäfer said.
Winde has lodged a petition with Parliament to suspend the new immigration regulations, supported by the chamber.
“Both the tourism industry and the airlines understand the damage that will be caused and they have rightly called on the government to rethink the regulations and whether they will be effective,” said chamber president Janine Myburgh.
Cape Times