Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I must say that I get distressed when I see the anti-immigrant approach that we often see in South Africa. In particular, of course we had the horrific xenophobia a few years ago and some of that sentiment continues to this day, if not as violently. What many people forget is that, and we see this trend now in Europe and America, it does not help to complain about immigrants working harder. You need to compete with them. The answer to competition is not to try and kill people or chase them away! I have hired a number of immigrants at my firm over the years, typically people from Eastern Europe, and I have generally found them to be very honest and educated workers. I have also hired people from Zimbabwe and likewise I found them to be very hardworking and well educated people. Part of building a successful economy involves welcoming and accepting people from other countries, and if you cannot keep up with their work capacity or abilities, then my approach is simple – move out of the way!
We don’t appreciate how much sacrifice and effort a lot of those people have made to emigrate from their own country, to start their lives again and it takes far more courage and risk than most of us possess! We sit safely in the same place our entire lives, only to moan about others who are trying to create a better future for themselves and in most cases for their own children. We should only be so happy that some of them actually select South Africa to come to!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 16-Oct-17
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Comments
Cornelie said:
on Thursday 02-Nov-17 09:31 AM
Immigrants know where they come from there is nothing like Zimbabwe, they want to provide for their family’s not like the SA citizen who sit back and think everything must just fall on their laps.
Sinead said:
on Wednesday 01-Nov-17 12:07 PM
Of course you will find this all over the world... And it really is true. They are working to earn their keep and prove their worth. This might sounds harsh but there are a select few (locals) who tend to think the world owes them something and don't work nearly as hard.
Tersia said:
on Wednesday 01-Nov-17 07:37 AM
My sisters emigrated to New Zealand to do precisely that - make a better future for themselves and their children. From what they have told me the people over there have a very slow pace to life and aren't very hard working, that's why so many South Africans move there as they can see we are hard working people and don't mind doing the job, or well that's my opinion. But I do think there are still businesses that would rather employ their own people as people from another country - even if they will work harder.
Liz said:
on Monday 30-Oct-17 08:51 AM
It is so true that immigrant workers should be given a fair chance in South Africa or in fact anywhere in the world, as Jadine says we now live in a global community and you should work hard in order to prove yourself and not think you are entitled just because of the fact that you are a local. The only problem I do think is experienced is that immigrant workers are often exploited and underpaid.
Prishani said:
on Friday 27-Oct-17 08:25 AM
I don’t think it is always easy for people to leave their country and many people leave their countries and come to SA because of some sort of unrest. They are still people and they still deserve to be respected and treated with kindness. If they have the skills and requirements they should have an opportunity to prove themselves.
brumilde said:
on Friday 27-Oct-17 08:14 AM
As long as the immigrants create work opportunities. We need more entrepreneurs in south africa. to create more job opportunities for the current people living in south africa. but it is true someone will only immigrate if the standards they come from are worse
Natasha said:
on Tuesday 24-Oct-17 08:13 AM
They are the best workers and they do want to work they are very hard workers and you can actually trust them.
Jadine E said:
on Monday 23-Oct-17 07:09 AM
They are the most amazing people to have as employees, never mind the language barrier at times, they show somewhat a more humbled and grateful spirit when doing their job and getting rewarded for it.
Nicky said:
on Friday 20-Oct-17 04:22 PM
It is horrific how immigrants are treated by South Africans and they're usually, unfairly, painted with the same brush- they're just here to steal jobs. Yet they have given up so much in the search for a better future for themselves and their families.
mathilda said:
on Friday 20-Oct-17 03:08 PM
I can’t imagen how hard it is to just leave everything behind, everything you know to just insure a better Future for yourself and you’re Family
I really think that everyone is entitled to a fair Chance at success
In my opinion some of the People from other Countries work so much harder than our own people
It’s so sad to see how some South Africans can express such barbaric actions like (xenophobia) burning people alive, killing children etc. just because they are from another Country and want to actually work
Nikita said:
on Friday 20-Oct-17 11:51 AM
I agree with Patrick - yes they are much harder working than local people but they are also exploited. These people often come from such difficult circumstances in their home countries that they will do anything here to make money to keep their families alive.
Jessica M said:
on Friday 20-Oct-17 08:35 AM
No wonder why the other countries like to have South African's working there, they believe we are harder workers (or so I have heard).
Sarah said:
on Friday 20-Oct-17 08:29 AM
I agree with the blog, it is not easy to start over new in other country. I remember when we stayed in America it was head for all of us to adjust. The problem with some South Africans they doesn't want to do labour work , so that's why people choose to get Immigrants to work because they are always willing and don't mind minimum wage.
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Thursday 19-Oct-17 09:01 AM
I agree that they do work very hard.The thing is the immigrants are taking our jobs but they actually do want to work so there is a catch 22. Our own citizens will rather stand begging than find a job. Its sad actually. The immigrants also work work minimum pay compared to our SA residents.
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Thursday 19-Oct-17 09:00 AM
I agree that they do work very hard.The thing is the immigrants are taking our jobs but they actually do want to work so there is a catch 22. Our own citizens will rather stand begging than find a job. Its sad actually. The immigrants also work work minimum pay compared to our SA residents.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Wednesday 18-Oct-17 11:56 AM
I have so much respect for people who leave their countries to go and find work in another country. It must be so incredibly difficult but they do what they need to do in order to build a better life for themselves, instead of just staying stuck in their own country. I find that immigrants tend to be more hard working that people in our own country - for example in my personal experience Zimbabwean and Malawian domestic workers work so much better in my home than when I had a South African lady. It is tough to say but true. It makes me mad when I see Xenophobia simply because people feel "entitled" to jobs - healthy competition only benefits us.
Dune said:
on Wednesday 18-Oct-17 10:33 AM
I think that most people will be in agreement with this blog. I would much rather work with an immigrant that works hard, brings their part who is humble and appreciates his/her work than a local that constantly complains about too much work with a negative attitude.
Michelle said:
on Wednesday 18-Oct-17 09:46 AM
I will also agree that immigrates work harder. Obviously a company will rather choose the person who is a hard worker and more dedicated even if you are a citizen of the country. There is a lot of places South African people struggle again to get work overseas. It’s just strange how many people are job less in South Africa where you will not really see homeless people overseas or people struggling to find a work.
Jolene said:
on Wednesday 18-Oct-17 08:58 AM
I agree that they do work very hard. I think it must be very hard to pack up your life and start over somewhere else. Some people take advantage of immigrants and pay them very little.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 18-Oct-17 08:03 AM
There are definitely some immigrants that works hard but then you get those that just wants to make trouble. I guess you need to give them a chance to prove themselves. We need to appreciate the work that we have. There are so many people without jobs.
Suzanne said:
on Tuesday 17-Oct-17 01:38 PM
We do need to make the effort to accept and embrace people from other countries, especially if they can make SA a better place.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Tuesday 17-Oct-17 12:33 PM
I do agree that we should embrace immigrants that are boosting or at least contributing our economy. However, they often under-cut the expected wages / salary - which leads to disgruntled 'locals'.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 17-Oct-17 08:04 AM
During school holidays kids from 11 years must go to industries and work so that they can learn from the early age to work hard and gain skills, in that way our country will be the better place.
Joyce said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 05:24 PM
I think it would be nice if people of South Africa would just be nice, welcoming, stop hating people from other countries who came to SA for good reasons , stop being greedy and just work together with them.
Clare said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 03:39 PM
My Question is that people in our country say that South Africans are Lazy and don't want to work that's why people that come into our country can get a Job, but why does other Countries like to hire us because ????
Daniella said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 02:03 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with this blog, People get so enraged that foreigners are 'taking their jobs' yet those exact people are lazy and don't work hard for their position. I personally feel if you feel the pressure to better yourself do it, there will always be someone better with anything doesn't mean you should attack them. You are your own worst enemy.
Melissa said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 01:47 PM
Work is scarce, so don't complain and do the best you can, because there are people out there that doesn't even have a slice of bread to eat. So I agree 100% immigrants do work harder.
Jadine Richards said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 11:11 AM
People just have to accept that the world is no longer divided by borders. We live in a global community and as a result of that you will find yourself working alongside foreigners. If you are one of those who complain then the problem is not with the immigrants but with you. Working is tough enough and to add hateful locals to the mix cannot be a fun experience.
Bianca R said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 10:38 AM
I have to agree completely that foreigners certainly do work harder and actually in most cases, really want to work and don't mind hard work. I spent 4 hours at the licencing department on Saturday to renew my licence, and the most efficient staff at the department, were all foreigners and I must say that their attitude to providing service is just remarkable! We know of a guy who is only employed for one day a week because he can't find other employment, he is absolutely remarkable and so so hard working, he struggles to find a job when some lazy South Africans are happy to be average and work as little as possible... Sad stuff.
Lucretia said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 10:31 AM
I have to agree. I have certainly noticed a trend amongst the South Africans, they feel the job is owed to them and when they get it, because of our strict laws about firing, they don't appreciate their jobs and, in fact, are lazy to work. The service is shocking and work often shoddy. I have to agree with the fact that, the immigrants work way harder. My domestic is Zimbabwean and before her I also had a Zimbabwean working for me. Would not change this.
Nina said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 09:25 AM
I agree 100%. Don't complain if you are not willing to work just as hard.
Ashleigh said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 08:54 AM
South Africa is basically on of the only countries in the world that anyone can immigrate to. We do not have strict rules like most countries have with immigration. Yes immigrants do work harder but also based on what had happened in their own countries and what the result of that was and they know what it feels like to starve. Something I feel some South Africans should learn and maybe their mindset would change. Its all based on lesson's learnt. If you want to be lazy and have the mindset that it belongs to you and not work for it, you will suffer the consequence.
Helen said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 08:39 AM
Being immigrant myself and now staying in this country for 11 years I would say that it was not an easy journey to get back on my feet. If it is not for support from my husband and also opportunity given to me at De Broglio Attorneys I would probably be sitting as housewife at home or even had to go back home! There are so many cultures in this country and in the past generations there are immigrants from all over the world but people forget from where originally they are coming from and start treating immigrants with jealousy and anger!
Alexis said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 08:24 AM
I agree that they do work very hard, and it just shows you how instead of seeing it as a competition to compete and be better - we prefer to resort to violence - it is very sad when they are coming from a country far worse and all they want to do is make their lofe a little better
patrick said:
on Monday 16-Oct-17 08:10 AM
One should look at the mining industry to understand this topic much better. The south African economy was largely built by migrants. Most South Africans would work two weeks and run away and most mines stopped hiring them and used migrants only. the only issue is that they allow themselves to be exploited which is not good.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
