Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the recent announcement by the government of South Sudan that all foreign workers must leave that country; and what effect they expect that announcement to have on the United Kingdom’s aid, stabilisation and development programmes there.

The Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development in South Sudan issued a circular on 12 September prohibiting and regulating the service and employment of aliens in certain positions in the private sector. The Minister subsequently issued a clarification on 17 September noting that this excludes all United Nations agencies, diplomatic missions and organisations that have signed bilateral/mutual agreements with the Republic of South Sudan; and also excludes many technical and professional positions in both private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The UK is supportive of South Sudan nationals filling positions where the relevant skills and experience exist within the labour force and we work to build capacity of the local workforce. The UK and other partners raised the issue of the Circulars at the Government Partners Forum on 18 September and stressed that much needed foreign investment could be seriously deterred by messaging that foreign workers are not welcome in South Sudan. We will continue to monitor the situation. The ability of humanitarian and development organisations to assist the most vulnerable must not be affected.