Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Peter Mayen has officially ordered foreigners to obtain relevant working documents as provided for by labour law.
Besides the work permit, Mayen ordered all the foreign nationals serving with national and international humanitarian organisations to produce a certificate of good conduct from their country of origin and an authenticated certificate of qualification as expatriates.
The ministerial order number 001/2022, dated April 28, 2022, applied to all the expatriates, international staff working for national and international organisations (NGOs), and United Nations (UN) agencies.
According to the order, all expatriates must possess valid work permits issued by the national Ministry of Labour and Industrial Development of the Republic of South Sudan and have a certificate of good conduct from their country of origin, stating that the individual has no criminal records, which will be verified by South Sudan security agencies.
Requirements
It further stated that any foreign national considered an expatriate, must have an authenticated academic certificate and be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of South Sudan.
“All national and international non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies must meet the above mentioned three (3) criteria,” which the order partly read.
On his Facebook timeline on April 26, 2022, Mayen gave a 72-hour ultimatum to all foreign nationals to obtain work permits and other relevant documents to avoid inconvenience and said that his patience was drawing to an “end” over the matter.
“My patience is coming to an end. Therefore, for every action, there is an equal reaction, I advise all Kenyans working with the UN agents, international NGOs, and national NGOs at all levels, including Boma, Payam, counties, and national levels, to seek their work permits and other relevant documents to avoid inconvenience within 72 hours… Other nationalities also advise them to do so. It is a reality in action, and I am kindly advising all to comply, “Mayen said.
On Thursday, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, criticized Mayen’s move and said despite the laws requiring aliens working in South Sudan to acquire work permits, factors were hindering the acquisition of the same that needed probing. He hinted at some unnamed government’s policy on acquiring a work permit.
South Sudan’s labour laws should consider the workforce aspect of a company or organization that has at least 80 per cent of South Sudanese nationals in all positions before issuing the work permit to an alien.
It further provides that applicants for the work permit are required to possess a valid passport, a copy of the passport photos, a place to stay in South Sudan, and allotted funds for the stay, and he or she should have proof of vaccination for yellow fever.
Section 25, sub-section (3) of Passport and Immigration Act, 2011 of South Sudan states that a person or body that employs an alien shall notify the relevant Competent Authority of such employment within three days from the date of employment of the alien.
According to international laws, employees must acquire a work permit on a 12-month, multiple-entry visa before starting their position with a company or organization in the country in question.
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