South Africa has adopted a ‘self-settlement’ approach: refugees and asylum seekers can choose where to live but receive little support from the State or humanitarian organisations. The current legal framework supports socio-economic integration: refugees have the right to work without a work permit, can open bank accounts, and are not prevented from obtaining business licences. However, it is difficult for recognised refugees to access the formal labour market due to employer reluctance to accept refugee documents, lack of clarity about the distinction between the Immigration Act and the Refugee Act, language barriers, xenophobia and discrimination. Asylum policy is becoming increasingly restrictive, with changes limiting asylum seekers’ rights. The asylum process is lengthy, with a significant backlog and high refusal rates, leaving asylum seekers unable to join the formal sector.
