By Lodu William Odiya
The Ministry of Labour is formulating a policy and regulations to govern private employment agencies, a move aimed at improving the recruitment and deployment of South Sudanese citizens seeking jobs in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Once approved, Deborah Akech Kuocnin, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, said the policy would establish a framework for licensing, monitoring, and regulating private employment agencies to ensure that citizens access overseas employment through official, transparent, and accountable procedures.
“Citizens should be recruited through licensed agencies and official channels. Job seekers should not be required to use another country’s nationality or identity to access employment. Workers should receive employment contracts in a language they understand before travelling,” she said.
According to Akech, the initiative seeks to ensure that South Sudanese workers are recruited directly through licensed agencies without being required to use another country’s nationality or identity to secure employment opportunities abroad.
Under the proposed framework, job seekers should receive clear employment contracts in a language they understand before travelling.
The contracts should specify wages, working hours, leave entitlements, accommodation, transport, medical coverage, contract duration, and termination conditions.
These measures are intended to strengthen the protection of migrant workers, reduce the risks of exploitation and ensure that recruitment processes respect workers’ rights.
The development also highlights the importance of cooperation between African countries and GCC states in addressing labour migration challenges and promoting safe, orderly, and decent employment opportunities.
The Doha Dialogue has reinforced the need for participating countries to move beyond commitments and translate their discussions into concrete action. Cooperation should focus on practical measures that improve recruitment systems, strengthen labour protection, and ensure accountability among employment agencies and employers.
For South Sudan, the way forward includes completing and implementing the private employment agencies policy, strengthening labour governance, and improving pre-departure orientation for citizens travelling abroad for work.
The government also needs to establish reliable systems for registering South Sudanese workers overseas and providing them with information, assistance, and support when they encounter difficulties.
Effective coordination between the Ministry of Labour, relevant government institutions, diplomatic missions, and destination countries will be essential in protecting workers and addressing complaints.
In addition, public awareness campaigns should educate job seekers about licensed recruitment agencies, legitimate employment procedures, and the dangers of relying on unverified brokers.
The government should also develop mechanisms for monitoring recruitment practices and holding agencies accountable when they violate regulations or mislead applicants.
As South Sudan works towards establishing a regulated overseas employment system, the successful implementation of the proposed policy could help citizens access legitimate job opportunities while reducing the risks associated with irregular recruitment.
Ultimately, translating the commitments reinforced by the Doha Dialogue into practical measures will require sustained cooperation, effective regulation, and a strong commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of South Sudanese workers abroad.