TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Confusion over South Sudan ban on foreign workers

South Sudan President Salva Kiir says at the opening of the First Session of the National Legislature in Juba on June 2, 2014. PHOTO | AFP

South Sudan President Salva Kiir says at the opening of the First Session of the National Legislature in Juba on June 2, 2014. PHOTO | AFP 

By AGGREY MUTAMBO
More by this Author

South Sudan government on Tuesday evening appeared to contradict itself on the decision to ban all foreign workers, including aid workers, and an order for their replacement with locals.

Mr Mawien Makol Ariik, the South Sudan Government Spokesman, told the Daily Nation no foreign worker will be forced out of the country.

"What we are saying is there are South Sudanese citizens who need to be employed, but foreign workers have played a very important role especially in providing emergency aid. We have not announced any expulsion of them," he said on phone from Juba.

"We are asking organisations to consider those positions where South Sudanese qualify. Where they don't qualify, let the foreign workers do the job. We are not telling them to eject foreign workers. There is no such policy within the government of South Sudan."

This contradicted an earlier notice by South Sudan Labour Ministry asking private firms and non-governmental organisations to dismiss foreign workers from executive directors to receptionists and replace them with South Sudanese nationals.

The country's Minister for Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Ngor Kolong Ngor explained the decision was meant to protect the rights and interests of "people of South Sudan."

South Sudan Ambassador to Kenya Mr Mariano Deng On Tuesday evening, said he will verify the information from the government in Juba first, but argued those to be affected could be foreign workers who lack work permits.

Kenya's Foreign Ministry said it would issue an official response as soon as it receives official communication from the South Sudan government.

South Sudan is host to about 30,000 Kenyan workers, mainly in construction, banking, hospitality and humanitarian work.

The ban on foreign workers could dent Juba's ambition to join the East African Community where leaders have been crusading for a free market and movement of people in the region.