JUBA – The South Sudan Ministry of Labour has convened a high-level stakeholders meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issuance of work permits and other labour migration issues across the country.
The session brought together cabinet ministers, undersecretaries, independent commissions, the Inspector General of Police, director generals, security personnel, and other key officials.
Speaking during the opening of the meeting, the Minister of Labour, James Hoth Mai, stated that the meeting is crucial because it is the government’s mandate to regulate the employment of foreign workers and to oversee issues facing these workers.
“South Sudan is the only country in the region issuing work permits upon arrival. In other countries, you are granted a work permit before entering, but in South Sudan, we provide the work permit when you arrive,” said Mai on Tuesday at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during the consultative meeting on labour migrants and the issuance of work permits.
Mai disclosed that the Ministry of Labour was separated from the Ministry of Public Service in 2020 as part of the 2018 peace agreement, adding that the Ministry of Labour focuses on labour issues across the country.
“So far, we have developed guidelines and regulations to implement the 2017 Labour Act. We conduct regular workplace inspections, establish the Labour Advisory Council, and carry out labour market assessments,” said Mai.
He mentioned that they set occupational standards, investigate workplace accidents, and engage in social dialogue and collective bargaining. They also combat labour slavery and trafficking while expanding vocational training centres across the nation.
Mai also revealed that South Sudan, with its advanced legal framework, offers online work permit applications, adding that there is nothing in the passport indicating that a migrant worker cannot work in the country.
“We also digitise the work permit; you can access the work permit online. You can download the application, fill it out, and there is nothing wrong with that; then you are advised,” he said.
