Background

Juba, February 21, 2024 – The Ministry of Labour and social partners in South Sudan validated the draft regulatory guidelines for Private Employment Agencies (PrEAs). The International Labour Organization though the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, conducted a validation workshop in Juba on February 20-21, 2024, to finalise the draft regulatory guidelines for Private Employment Agencies (PrEAs) in South Sudan. The workshop to reviewed, and validated the proposed regulations, which were developed to regulate and administer PrEAs in accordance with international labour standards, specifically C181 on Private Employment Agencies, and fair recruitment guidelines. The meeting was attended by 40 participants representing various stakeholders, including Ministry of Labour, South Sudan Workers Trade Unions Federation (SSWTUF), Employers’ Associations of South Sudan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Justice, Manufacturers Associations of South Sudan, National Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, and Industry, South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics, and Private Recruitment Agencies.

All speakers emphasized the importance of the regulations in improving labour relations and protecting workers' rights, including migrant workers and addressed the necessity of a legal framework in structuring PrEAs operations within national employment and migration policies. In his opening remarks, Hon. James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour of South Sudan, highlighted the challenge being faced with PrEAs, and further stated: 
 

Presentation on Convention 181 and fair recruitment practices served to elucidate the importance of aligning South Sudan's regulatory framework with international labour standards, emphasizing the need for adherence to principles and ensuring fair recruitment of workers as well as governing well the operation of private employment agencies. These discussions provided a foundation for stakeholders to delve into specific sections of the draft regulations. In these sessions, stakeholders engaged in detailed deliberations aimed at refining key aspects of the regulations, addressing concerns, and proposing revision to ensure relevance and effectiveness of the regulation in the context of South Sudan’s labour market. After thorough deliberations, stakeholders unanimously validated the regulatory guidelines for PrEAs for South Sudan. Key follow up action agreed, included sharing the regulations with relevant authorities, drafting a letter to the Ministry of Justice for review, and subsequent adoption of the regulations into law by the Ministry of Labour. The entire process is estimated to take one month.

In closing, the Minister of Labour highlighted the regulations' role in combating human trafficking and urged stakeholders to ensure compliance and implementation.
The validation workshop marked a significant milestone in the development of regulatory guidelines for PrEAs in South Sudan. Moving forward, stakeholders are committed to implementing the regulations and fostering a fair and transparent recruitment process that benefits both employers and workers while safeguarding their rights.
 

Key documents