The “Accompanying spouse dependent visa status”: Challenges and constraints faced by Zimbabwean immigrant women in integration into South Africa’s formal labour market

Abstract

Transboundary migration at both regional and continental levels has become the defining feature of the 21st century. The recent global migration crisis due to economic strife and war brings back to the fore an old age problem, but with fresh challenges. Migration and forced displacement are issues that require long-term solutions. challenges arise in integrating migrants into society as it is often difficult to harmonize the interests of indigenous communities and those of foreign nationals. Using in-depth interviews, the study analyzed South Africa migration and labour policies in terms of mainstreaming the gender needs of skilled migrant women. It explored the labour integration of skilled Zimbabwean women migrant spouses with visa statuses tied to their husbands in South Africa by highlighting their migratory experiences and the constraints of their visa status. Findings show that gender dynamics in migration patterns and the mainstreaming of gender in migration policies is pivotal.

Keywords: gender, migration, Zimbabwean women, Accompanying Spouse Visa, labour integration