By ‘Majirata Latela
After the ministry of labour announced the arrest last week of four foreign workers at one of the companies working illegally at phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Polihali Dam construction site, the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has emphasised it has no role in the securing of work permits.
Responding to theReporter’s question on its role in help the companies from outside Lesotho to get work permits for its employees, LHDA stated that work permits are the sole responsibility of employers who have to make the necessary applications to the ministry of labour and employment.
LHDA explained that it only writes supporting or reference letters for consultants and contractors to support their work permit applications. It does this after having satisfied itself that the number of personnel on the list are in line with the agreed principles for sharing of opportunities underpinning the LHWP and employment quotas of Lesotho and South African nationals, assigned to each contract.
The four non-Basotho citizens who were arrested for working in the country illegally have since been charged with contravening the Lesotho Labour Code Order of 1992 which stipulates the terms of employing persons who are not citizens of Lesotho.
