The circular, dated 3 December 2025 and signed by Undersecretary Deng Kenjok, was addressed to all organisations, companies, NGOs, institutions, and business entities operating in the country.
It underscores what the ministry describes as the government’s “unwavering commitment to fair labour practices, protection of national employment, and the maintenance of lawful workplaces.”
According to the circular, the directive is anchored in Article 16(3) of the Labour Act, 2017, which mandates that every foreign employee must possess a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour.
Employing foreign nationals without this documentation, the ministry warns, constitutes a “serious violation of the law.”
The Labour Ministry cautions that employers who fail to comply risk severe penalties. These include prosecution, substantial fines, closure of non-compliant establishments, and—where applicable—deportation of undocumented foreign workers.
“All employers are hereby ordered to immediately verify the legal status of their entire workforce and ensure full compliance with Labour Laws and Regulations,” the circular stated.
The ministry further announced that nationwide inspections will begin without prior notice. These enforcement operations are expected to target both private and public institutions to assess compliance with work permit regulations and other labour standards.
“Non-compliance will be met with swift and decisive legal action,” the circular reads, signalling a tougher stance by the government to regulate foreign employment and streamline the labour market.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the increasing number of foreign nationals working in the country without proper documentation—a situation officials say undermines labour regulations and limits job opportunities for South Sudanese citizens.
Employers have been urged to conduct internal audits of their staff records, regularise the status of foreign employees, and cooperate fully with inspection teams once operations commence.
The Ministry of Labour has not indicated how long the inspection exercise will run, but officials say the operation will be continuous as part of broader efforts to strengthen labour governance in the country.
