The Immigration Department says it has issued 6, 605 employment permits to foreign immigrants this year.
Chief Immigration Officer, Anderson Phiri disclosed in Lusaka today that the department has also issued 652 entry permits and 746 self employment permits as of October this year.
He said the figure is high compared to 3,052 employment permits, 874 entry permit and 512 self employment permit issued last year.
Mr. Phiri said the department has also collected K628.5 billion for government revenue from immigration and other related activities.
He said the department has continued to play a crucial role in the development of the country by promoting trade and tourism in the country.
He said the department is therefore prepared for effective operations owing to this development which will also help in easy the movement of people in the region and across international frontiers.
Mr. Phiri has since called for logistics that will allow them to effectively carry out their mandate adding that inadequate land and water transport has made it difficult for the department to conducts patrols along the borders which are poorly manned.
Mr. Phiri said the country has 42 land border posts along the 4,915.4 Kilometer border line with eight neighboring countries but has Skeleton staffs manning this stretch.
He said effective management of migration services is key in contributing to an ideal and enabling business environment which is conducive for foreign direct investment.
ZANIS
3/4 of these are Chinaman… worst infestors….hmmm investors of mankind…
I did not think that immigration dept can raise so much revenue. Its seems many ministries such as ministry of lands, communication etc do the same. But due to the internal weak capacities arising from lack of rentention of some portion of revenue collected; poor funding and support from central government these ministries collect far less than what they are capable of collecting. Its high time the government identified all these potential sources of revenue and maximise revenue collection and increase accountability of public funds. This should also inclde the informal sector. If properly and strategically done i think we can drastically reduce donor dependency. This idea of aid by African Countries makes me sick. We need to grow up and manage our own affairs.
So there is enough work in the country, why not give those permits to foreghners, cover the locals, then the remainder can be given to our outside brothers and sisters
You raise 628 billion and still complain of understaffing and logistical problems! i think this figure is not correct, it’s probably just a publicity stunt to get increased funding in the next budget. that’s over $128million in dollar terms.
guys i told u pa Zed umutende wafulisha..lets all relocate to Darfur Sudan..I mean on the same piece of land part of the grass is green and the other is not ,how do you explain that…..
Dont just give permits anyhow. Most of these people know nothing. There are called by their friends and relatives to come and make cool money. Audit some mining companies and you will discovers that most of them have been give the so called Supervisors jobs but Zambians are jobing the jobs while they do nothing. Others are coming in the name of Trainers but look at who they have trained, noone. Zambians have continues training fellow zambians while these white reap where they did not sow. Wake up Immigration Department.
The hate messages that are on this site are disappointing. The fact is we need skills from outside to improve local skills and also local work culture. When we accept foreign money we should also accept foreign people. It is as straight forward as that. Mangoes grow on mango trees and you do not get mangoes alone.
This is a bit tricky for me to understand, first, there is no employment for us Locals, but for foreigners jobs are readily available, while we have qualified Zambians roaming the streets. What type of Government do we have?
As much as we need foriegn skills we hve to exhaust our local skills first, which i think we have done, i think there are very few jobless graduates pa zed the only problem is salaries are low
Ninebo, I think you are right in some way, but look at the foreigners coming in the country, Falklift Drivers, Loader drivers, on some mines, even Dump Truck drivers. Are you sure such labour require foreigners?
And how many jobs have they issued to the locals? This time I only hear the advantages of the foreigners. Is it nomal?
#7 very good insight on immigration & foreign investment. On the other hand, it would be good to have a detailed graphic illustration of the FDI data from the Immigration authorities showing us exactly how many foreigners, from where are contributing how much to the economy.
I think its good to recieve foreigners in our beloved nations it brings about different ideas and workmanship which is good for the country as well as good investments. It makes our country even more multicultral. Thats a few thousand people i dont think that much. The problem we have in Zambia is not really employment but two things-salaries and conditions of service e.g things like safety and others. The salaries are very low for most people and the government doesnt seem to mind the safety of the people by not putting measures to protect the employees.e.g huge fines to ensure companies followed them and regular inspection.
The plan is get to there offices and tell them you have come to train locals and the permit will be out.There is no proper procedure and those i know are just renewed every time out proper scruteny
#3,6,9,11,14
Why are you being negative? Let those who want to work be given work,
You are busy complaining but you forget the great contribution our foreign brothers have brought to our Land.
Look at the rural Hospitals, most Doctors are the so called foreigners, Zambian Doctors are flocking to SA and always go on strike . Our Work culture is very poor, we(Zambians) always want the easy way. The so called unemployed youth are busy listenin to music, visiting friends and going to the so called “Church” and expect everything to be normal. When a Chinese or Rwandan finds an opportunity and starts making money, we begin to shout ” batutengela ma jobs”.
I would advise the Govt to facilitate these foreigners to settle and continue contributing to our economy. Maybe we should learn from…
it should be controlled just don’t issue before checking who you are giving these permits those of us who out side zambia know what that means
Priority should be given to locals who spent all their pay money locally. This is just a revenue collection exercise. There is no coordination between th immigaration and the labour office. Any one with fake papers and money can buy a work permit with out an interview.