The Minister of Foreign Affair has refuted allegations by international media that South Sudan is expelling foreign workers in order to create jobs for its citizens.

Recently, the Minister of Labor and Public Service issued a circular directing all NGOs and private companies to stop employing foreign nationals and advertise the positions of certain jobs.

This caused an uproar in the region, particularly in Kenya.

These positions include posts of executive directors and below which will be occupied by the locals.

Reacting to the media reports, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the media that the government has not issued any expulsion order.

“There are no foreign workers being expelled whether they are Ugandans, Kenyans, Eritreans or whatever,” said Dr Marial.

“There are labor regulations that specify certain jobs for nationals and there are jobs for non-nationals.”

‘Circular misinterpreted’

Dr. Marial said the circular issued by the Ministry of Labor has been misinterpreted by foreign media.

“There is nothing that concerns UN or embassies or UN organizations like some people are painting it everywhere,” he added.

Dr. Marial said in every country there is labor that regulates employment.