A civil society activist has called on the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management to stop using ultimatums in pushing for the acquisition of a work permit.

The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, said he was quite aware that the law required any foreigner working in South Sudan must acquire a work permit.

However, he said there was a need to probe the contributing factors making most foreigners not conform to the government policy on acquiring work permits, rather than linking it to malpractices.

Yakani was responding to the statement issued by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Peter Mayen Majongdit, urging all foreign nationals working in the country to acquire work permits within 72 hours.

“My patient (sic) is coming to an end. Therefore, for every action, there is an equal reaction, I personally advise all Kenyans working with the UN agents, international NGOs, and national NGOs at all levels, Boma, Payam, counties, and national levels to seek their work permits and other relevant documents to avoid inconvenience within 72 hours.. Other nationalities, I also advise them to do so.. It is a reality in action, and I am kindly advising all to comply, “Mayen said.

The activist said the ministry should devise a better means instead of threatening foreigners, especially those from East African countries, with the issue of work permits.

 “We are part of the East African Community and we need to handle this issue with a responsibility to ensure access to work permits is much easier (to get) and accessible,” he said.

Mayen praised

The statement on the work permits has been welcomed by hundreds of youth in the country since the date it was posted by Mayen on his Facebook timeline.

“At least we have a leader who can stand up for his people. Thank you, Hon. Minister, “one Facebook user commended on Mr Mayen’s timeline.

Another said, “I know you are a good leader. You have rules and regulations, I really need you to implement your orders and make them alert because UN agencies, as well as NGOs, are contributing to the failure of this country. Otherwise, we are behind you, Hon: Peter Mayen.”

While Yakani admitted the work permits were necessary, he said,”My concern is the access to the work permits and remember, there are also some South Sudanese who might be working in other countries and have easy access to work permits.”

“In the same way that we take it emotionally against foreigners here in the country, we should ask ourselves if there are no South Sudanese working in other countries,” Yakani emphasized.

The activist also criticised the labour market in the country, saying the government has zero contribution to the labour market.