re Work Permits - Media and Entertainment

[artslink.co.za]

"Should you feel strongly on this issue, we encourage you to write to us and
share your ideas and concerns. Be they positive or not, the Committee needs
your input on how best to resolve this crisis."

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
re Work Permits - Media and Entertainment

Tel (011) 678 7176 / 476 1386 / 476 0708
Fax (011) 476 7068 / 476 7069

Dear Colleagues

As you may have heard, the Department of Home Affairs has indicated that
their policy regarding work permits has changed. According to the
Department, foreign personnel who are remunerated abroad no longer require
work permits, but may enter South Africa on Business Visas. This change to
Business Visas status was supported by the Consultative Committee and its
Members, in order to simplify the application procedure. This would
alleviate frustrations and ensure a friendly and efficient service.

The Committee's intention was to convince Government to simplify and speed
up their application procedure, while at the same time retaining the
services of the Consultative Committee to make recommendations on the issue
of business visas and to continue to monitor the flow of overseas production
personnel and technicians.

The problem arises in that the Department of Home Affairs has indicated that
the legal status of work permits has been misinterpreted following
amendments to legislation in 1996. The new interpretation requires work
permits only when foreigners are "being taken into employment by South
African companies".

If this interpretation is upheld, the Consultative Committee will have no
option but to close its doors. A meeting between the Committee and
Department of Home Affairs, Arts and Culture, Trade and Industry and Labour
has been scheduled for 6th August. At this meeting, the Consultative
Committee will make a final attempt to convince Government that the
unregulated issue of visas will have a detrimental effect on all sectors of
the industry.

It is the Committee's belief that the interests of the Industry would be
best served by a compromise position, which would balance monitoring and
control with speed and efficiency.

We would like to thank the Industry for the many letters and telephone calls
we have received in support of the Committee's continued existence. We will
present these to Government in support of our contention that the Committee
should be allowed to continue to fulfill its role and function in the
Industry. Should you feel strongly on this issue, we encourage you to write
to us and share your ideas and concerns. Be they positive or not, the
Committee needs your input on how best to resolve this crisis.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Norma Craven - Manager Consultative Committee

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Nominated for the Arts & Culture Trust Award 1999
Electronic Media of the Year in support of the arts

Arts & Culture Trust of the President Award 1998
Electronic Media of the Year

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