A leading civil society organization in South Sudan has welcomed the government’s decision to suspend the implementation of the new high work permit fees for foreign workers in the country and moderate the fee with the East African region.
South Sudan government recently increased the charges from $100 to $10,000, sparking complaints, especially from aid agencies operating in the country.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the decision taken by the South Sudanese government lifting taxes on work permits is ‘great and encouraging’.
“It demonstrates that the government is committed to principles of good governance by considering regional standards on pricing work permits through parliament decisions. So, it is a great and acceptable approach that the government has adopted, “said Yakani.
“The increase in the work permits has broader implications on the humanitarian sector since the humanitarian sector is the vibrant sector in South Sudan right now in comparison to the other sectors such as the private sector,” he added.
The leading civil society activist called on South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly to approve reasonable charges for the work permit for foreign aid workers in the country and moderate the fee with the East African region.
Photo: Edmund Yakani/ Radio Tamazuj