South Sudan Employers Validate Roadmap for Fairer Labour Market

Juba, 7 April 2026: The Employers' Association of South Sudan (EASS) convened a one-day validation workshop in Juba, South Sudan, to formally validate its Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. Organised with ILO support under the BRMM Programme funded by the UK FCDO, the event drew 39 participants (22 women) who reviewed and endorsed the association's direction for the next five years.

The workshop convened a diverse assembly of stakeholders, strategically drawn from across South Sudan's labour market. Participants included EASS members and its secretariat staff, private sector representatives and business owners, the Ministry of Labour, the South Sudan Workers' Trade Union Federation (SSWTUF), alongside ILO technical staff, civil society organisations, PrEA’s and media representatives. This inclusive composition was intentional, ensuring that the validated strategic plan effectively addresses the shared priorities of all involved.

South Sudan's labour market has changed considerably since EASS was established in 2012. Cross-border labour mobility has grown, Private Employment Agencies have multiplied, and national policy frameworks around labour migration are being updated. The previous EASS strategic plan (2021–2025) laid the groundwork for institutional development, but shifting realities called for a fresh approach.

Labour migration, when well-governed, can be a powerful engine for development, providing skills, filling labour shortages, and contributing to the prosperity of both countries of origin and destination.

Aida Awel, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO BRMM Programme.

The workshop was built on a rigorous, structured methodology led by the consultant, Bol Andrew, who presented the four strategic pillars of the draft strategy: governance and institutional strengthening, advocacy and policy influence, protection and fair recruitment, and partnerships for resource mobilisation. To ensure the plan was grounded in reality, participants engaged in thematic working groups to tackle critical issues related to PrEA regulation, labour migration integration, and implementation planning. Supported by the Ministry of Labour's insights on current national labour market trends, the session reached a milestone with the formal adoption of the five-year strategic plan.

This landmark endorsement by the EASS Board and the Ministry of Labour officially institutionalizes Private Employment Agency oversight and labour migration governance as core pillars of the association’s mandate. By the end of the day, a concrete implementation roadmap was agreed upon, setting out clear roles, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. Beyond the technical framework, the workshop reinforced the tripartite alliance between EASS, the Ministry of Labour, and SSWTUF - a critical foundation as the association assumes a more proactive leadership role in the evolving South Sudanese labour market landscape.