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South Sudan

South Sudan to delay expelling foreign workers

September 18, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan government backtracked on expelling foreign nationals working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private companies by mid-October after apparently fierce criticism from neighbours.

Minister of labour, Ngor Kolong Ngor, issued a ministerial order this week asking aliens to cease working in nine positions by October 15 and be replaced with South Sudanese.

But foreign affairs minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters on Wednesday that the new nation is not chasing foreigners.

“There are no foreign workers being expelled even from our region whether they are Ugandans, Kenyans or Ethiopians, Eritreans or Egyptians,” Marial, flanked by labour minister Kolong told reporters in Juba on Wednesday.

“We would like this statement to be very clear,” he added.

On Monday the labour ministry released a directive, ordering NGPs and privately held businesses to fire foreign workers in specific jobs for “the interest of unemployed South Sudanese.” Those jobs included top management positions. Some non-management jobs as messengers and hotel workers, were also included.

Labour minister said the decision to exclude foreigners from those positions was “misunderstood.”

“By executive directors, we mean executive secretaries and secretaries, And by public relations positions, the circular meant receptionists and other front desk workers, as well as protocol officers,” he added.

Kolong said UN agencies, diplomatic missions, and organisations that have agreements with the government of South Sudan are excluded from the order without elaborating those agreements.

But minister Marial said South Sudan’s labour regulations reserved certain jobs for nationals.

After South Sudan gained independence in 2011, many Ugandans and Kenyans nationals moved to the new labour market and took over various positions in the private sectors. But South Sudanese government has come under intense pressure to prioritise jobs for qualified nationals who returned to the country after years of studies abroad.

The government said it has no data on the number of foreigners occupying positions reserved for nationals but accused foreign companies of ignoring South Sudanese youths.

On Wednesday Kenyan media went wild as the Daily Nation newspapers dedicated its lead story to the matter with a headline ‘Kenyans expelled from South Sudan’.

On the other hand, international humanitarian groups warned that the move could hinder services delivery to people in dire need during the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.