Abstract
This paper discusses how occupational closure of the engineering profession in South Africa left Zimbabwean migrant engineers amongst the precariat ranks. It aims to answer the following research question: what is the nature of precariousness experienced by immigrant engineers in South Africa. An exploratory study of the experiences of Zimbabwean engineers is used test out Standing’s (2011) notion of the precariat as an emerging social class. Semi-structured and group interviews were used as data collection tools. The findings reveal that bureaucratic challenges in obtaining relevant work permits from the department of Home Affairs, South African universities’ reluctance to acknowledge Zimbabwean qualifications at par with local qualifications as well as a host of insecurities in the workplace left migrant engineers in precariat ranks.
Highlights
This paper discusses how occupational closure of the engineering profession in South Africa left Zimbabwean migrant engineers amongst the precariat ranks
The analysis presented in this paper is framed within the broader discourse of occupational closure and Standing’s (2011) concept of the precariat as social class is used as an entry point
This paper has demonstrated how Zimbabwean migrant engineers faced occupational closure in South Africa and in the process were relegated into precariat ranks
Summary
This paper discusses how occupational closure of the engineering profession in South Africa left Zimbabwean migrant engineers amongst the precariat ranks. The findings reveal that bureaucratic challenges in obtaining relevant work permits from the Department of Home Affairs, South African universities’ reluctance to acknowledge Zimbabwean qualifications at par with local qualifications as well as a host of insecurities in the workplace left migrant engineers in precariat ranks. While Chikarara (2016) focused on the ways in which the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) undervalued the academic qualifications of these migrant engineers thereby ensuring occupational closure, this paper widens the scope beyond the professional body’s politics It considers Zimbabwean engineers interactions with the South African government’s Department of Home Affairs, and institutions of higher learning (universities) impacted their labour market integration. Thereafter, I present and discuss the key findings of this study demonstrating the precariatisation of Zimbabwean migrant engineers and the paper ends with a reflection on the theoretical significance of this case study
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