The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has undertaken a targeted data collection exercise on the employment of foreign nationals across the Public Service. According to the DPSA Acting Deputy Director-General for Human Resources Management (HRMD), Dr Anusha Naidoo, the initiative is aimed at ensuring that the Public Service upholds the principles of good governance and compliance with the laws of the country, but also ensuring up-to-date and accurate figures on the employment of foreign nationals in the Public Service.
While the DPSA routinely collects all kinds of data as part of its public service and administration mandate, Dr Naidoo says that the initiative is informed by the need to close the data gaps from collection mechanisms such as the PERSAL system, particularly relating to the employment of foreign nationals.
“This current request for data is vital, as the PERSAL system, while comprehensive, does not always capture all necessary information for effective policy formulation and public administration. By gathering this data, we aim to close existing information gaps and enhance our human resource management practices in alignment with national security imperatives and government strategic objectives,” Dr Naidoo explains.
Emphasizing that the collection of employment data of foreign nationals is not new and is ongoing, Dr Naidoo adds that departments continue to respond to the call for data and are being supported to ensure its integrity and quality.
“Our commitment to data integrity means that we are not only gathering information but also verifying and analyzing it to ensure a comprehensive overview once the process is complete,” says Dr Naidoo.
The data collection exercise is also critical given the recent public speculations on the number of foreigners in the Public Service, with some claiming the rate to be as high as 90% in the health sector. For this reason, Dr Naidoo says this initiative seeks to ensure that such claims should be scientifically assessed and verified in partnership with departments to ensure that only credible data is captured.
The outcomes of the exercise are also of interest in terms of the national security of the nation; as the employment of an inordinate number of foreign nationals, especially in sensitive areas, could gravely undermine national security efforts.
“Our existing Directive on the Employment of Foreign Nationals outlines strict norms and standards to ensure that such employment does not compromise state security. This includes rigorous compliance with security vetting processes and safeguarding sensitive information. We continue to collaborate with relevant security agencies to update our directives in response to evolving national security needs,” according to Dr Naidoo.
