By Alan Clement
In a move to safeguard national employment and uphold fair labour practices, South Sudan’s Ministry of Labour has ordered strict enforcement of work permit regulations for foreign workers, warning of nationwide inspections and penalties.
The directive issued on December 3 under Article 46(3) of South Sudan’s Labour Act 2017 mandates that all foreign employees must hold valid work permits, with violators facing fines, closures, and deportations.
“Non‑compliance will be met with swift and decisive legal action,” Kenjok said in the circular, outlining punishments ranging from fines and business closures to deportations.
The Ministry also instructed employers to immediately verify the legal status of their workforce, with the ministry pledging to begin inspections without further notice.
The announcement marks one of the strongest labour enforcement measures in recent years with past attempts to regulate foreign employment faltering in implementation.
In 2016, the Labour ministry warned against unauthorized issuance of permits by state authorities, but enforcement was inconsistent, leaving many foreign workers in place without documentation.
More recently, in August 2025, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly summoned Labour Minister James Hoth Mai to explain failures in protecting workers’ rights. Lawmakers accused the ministry of weak oversight and demanded tougher measures.
Awan Achiek, who tabled the motion in the Parliament, declared at the time: “We cannot continue to ignore violations of our labour laws while citizens remain unemployed.”
This new directive appeared to directly respond to such parliamentary pressure, signalling closer alignment between the ministry and lawmakers on labour governance.
The Ministry noted that the crackdown is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening governance and protecting South Sudanese jobs describing the measure as an “unwavering commitment to fair labour practices and the protection of national employment.”
Analysts had noted that the government is under increasing pressure to demonstrate accountability in the face of high unemployment and economic strain.
By targeting foreign workers without permits, the ministry is attempting to reassure citizens that national jobs will not be displaced by undocumented labour.
The directive also placed South Sudan’s labour policy in sharp contrast with regional trends. Neighbouring Uganda and Kenya, under East African Community frameworks, have promoted labour mobility by lowering permit fees and easing restrictions.
South Sudan’s tougher stance highlighted its prioritization of national employment over regional integration. While the government insists the move is necessary, questions remain about whether enforcement will be consistent and sustainable.
Past failures have shown that directives alone are not enough without robust inspection mechanisms and political will.
For employers, the circular represents a significant compliance challenge. Businesses and NGOs operating in South Sudan rely heavily on foreign staff, and sudden enforcement could disrupt operations.
The ministry did not indicate whether grace periods or transitional arrangements will be offered, leaving organizations scrambling to ensure documentation is in order. The warning of “swift and decisive legal action” suggests little room for negotiation.
The latest directive underscores the government’s intent to strengthen labour governance and protect local jobs, but its success will depend on whether inspections are carried out uniformly and whether employers comply without disrupting humanitarian and business operations.
As lawmaker Achiek put it, “Citizens must see that the law is enforced, not just written.”