Abraham Majok, Chairperson of the National Brokers Union. (Photo: Abraham Majok.)

The head of the National Brokers’ Union has appealed for the implementation of circular banning foreigners from brokering services in the country – saying they are being out-competed.

The chairperson, Abraham Majok says the order was issued by the Ministry of Labor in 2019 – where it then directed the police commissioner of Central Equatoria State to implement the order.

Majok claims the brokering sector has been overtaken by foreigners, while there is no action taken to implement the directive.

“The problem is that this career has been by our Sudanese brothers. They don’t want to give us space in this profession.”

“They now have strong competition with us and we did not get any help from the police in this matter. We raised our complaints to all authorities, even the judiciary, ministry of labor and ministry of interior and we have received a strong response.”

Majok said the national police is sympathizing with the purported foreigners.

“When we find any foreigner who is doing this work and complain to the police, the police will release the foreigner and delay us for nothing.”

He is now calling on the Juba City Council authorities and Central Equatoria police to implement the circular and allow South Sudanese to fully take up the job.

“Am appealing to the police forces to help us in the implementation of the ministry of labor circular and orders issued by the inspector general of the police,” he said.

On October 14,  the Ministry of Labor wrote to the office of Juba City Council to implement the circular “in letter and spirit.”

“It is unfortunate that this circular has not been implemented since the time it was issued. Therefore the ministry of labor is requesting the the execution of of this circular through your honored office,” reads the circular signed by Undersecretary Mary Hillary Wani.

When contacted for comment, the spokesperson of the National Police Service, Major General Daniel Justin said he has invited the National Brokers’ Union to the Inspector Genera’s office to address the concerns.

“Let them come back to us again to meet the IGP. When the order is out, it is clear and there’s no need for comment, let them come back to us and tell us about what they have been facing,” said Justin.

‘Let them come and tell us that these orders of ours are not implemented from so and so and therefore, we will know how to deal with them.”