By James Innocent
Youth leaders in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State have raised concerns over employment practices by some organizations operating in the area, citing that local graduates are struggling to secure jobs despite available opportunities.
During a courtesy visit to the county Labour Office in Yei, representatives of youth groups met with labour officials to discuss challenges affecting young people seeking employment.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairperson of Youths in Yei River County, Gaga Frank Osman, said the visit was aimed at engaging the Labour Department on issues surrounding recruitment procedures and the implementation of national labour laws.
Osman said many educated young people in the county remain unemployed while some organizations recruit staff from outside the area without adequate consultation with relevant authorities.
“Our visit to the Labour Office was to discuss the challenges youth are facing in accessing employment opportunities and to review the labour regulations guiding recruitment in South Sudan,” Osman said.
He added that youth leaders also sought clarification on organizational recruitment policies and how they align with the national labour framework, particularly in situations where staff are hired from outside the county.
According to Osman, some partners operating in Yei have conducted recruitment processes without the involvement of the Labour Office or youth representatives, which he said raises concerns about transparency.
He urged organizations working in the area to cooperate with government institutions including the Labour Office, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) and local youth structures to ensure fair recruitment processes.
Osman also called on the government to promote equal employment opportunities across communities in South Sudan, emphasizing that job opportunities should not be influenced by tribal or regional considerations.
Responding to the concerns, Robert Baby Onesmo, an Inspector at the Labour Department in Yei River County, welcomed the engagement with youth representatives and acknowledged the importance of collaboration in addressing employment challenges.
Onesmo said the Labour Office is mandated to oversee recruitment processes in accordance with the South Sudan Labour Act, 2017, which outlines procedures intended to ensure transparency, fairness and non-discrimination in employment.
He encouraged young people to report cases where recruitment processes appear to bypass official procedures so that the Labour Office can investigate and ensure compliance with the law.
“At the Labour Office we allow all South Sudanese to work anywhere in the country. Employment should not be based on tribal or regional considerations,” Onesmo said.
He further called on institutions and communities across Greater Yei and Central Equatoria State to support inclusive employment practices that provide opportunities to qualified candidates regardless of their place of origin.
Under the Labour Act, 2017 and the NGO Recruitment Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labour, organizations operating in South Sudan are required to follow transparent recruitment procedures and cooperate with relevant government authorities to ensure fair and lawful hiring practices.
The meeting between youth leaders and labour officials is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen dialogue between communities, government institutions and development partners on employment and labour rights in the region.