Michael Pasquale, Secretary for foreign affairs of the South Sudan Worker Trade Union Federation addressing a workshop on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Credit: Michael Daniel/Eye Radio

The South Sudan Trade Union Federation has warned that unless urgent action is taken to address the country’s labour market challenges, South Sudanese workers risk being left behind in an increasingly competitive regional economy.

Michael Pasquale, Secretary for foreign affairs of the South Sudan Worker Trade Union Federation made this statement during a three-day workshop on the fundamentals of negotiation for workers, held on Tuesday, December 10, in Juba.

The workshop, which aimed to equip workers with basic negotiation skills, also highlighted the challenges faced in the labour market.

Pasquale noted that many people have lost their jobs, as the labour market now demands skills and knowledge that many South Sudanese workers lack.

“We are fully aware that we’ve gone nearly a year without receiving our salaries, and no one can deny this reality,” he said. “It’s time to engage with the government through dialogue, find a mechanism, and identify a way forward to address our grievances.”

Pasquale emphasized the importance of open negotiations with the government to resolve the salary crisis and chart a path forward for the country’s labour force.

“Once this is done, we can start to rebuild and face our challenges together,” he added, calling for unity among workers and a collective effort to overcome economic hardships.

The workshop, which aimed to equip workers with basic negotiation skills, also highlighted the challenges faced in the labour market.

Pasquale noted that many people have lost their jobs, as the labour market now demands skills and knowledge that many South Sudanese workers lack.

He urged the government and private sector to invest in training and capacity-building to prepare the workforce for the modern job market.

“The labour market today is based on competition,” he explained. “The Labour Act mandates that 80% of NGO jobs go to nationals, but if we don’t invest in training and capacity-building, we risk having these opportunities filled by our brothers and sisters from the East African community.”

Pasquale’s remarks underscore the urgency for South Sudan to address its labour market issues by improving education, skills development, and employment opportunities for nationals.

Without these efforts, he warned, the country’s workers could be left behind in an increasingly competitive regional economy.

The workshop aimed to provide a platform for workers to learn about effective negotiation tactics and strategies, offering hope that through dialogue and collective action, the grievances of South Sudan’s workforce can be addressed.

The Federation remains committed to pushing for solutions to the challenges facing workers and ensuring that South Sudan’s labour market remains open and equitable for its citizens.