Sudan’s Jonglei Engineers should team-up – SPLM
By Philip Thon Aleu
February 16, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) — Civil engineers, carpenters, electrical workers, builders and drivers in Jonglei State are asked by South Sudan’s ruling party Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to group in tens for easy access by government, individuals and companies.
The men and women gathered by the SPLM state Secretariat, headed by Nyok Kucha, to be encouraged to embark on income activities doubts government effort to eradicate poverty. They point fingers at the state authorities for favoring foreigners. The group also questioned the criteria used by the state government to grade casual jobs to foreigners.
“When you rent a home in East Africa, or a shop, it is compulsory that watchman, cook and cleaner come from them (East Africans). One wonders why our officials prefer foreigners in domestic works and call us lazy!” One of the casual laborers told governor Kuol while given chance to react to governor’s blame that local people “are very lazy and do not use their brains properly.”
Governor Kuol Manyang is the state SPLM chairman. He was invited to witness how many skilled laborers exist and to comprehend their request as well as delivering a fillip speech. The governor also revealed that more Oil companies are expected and will absorb casual workers who, he said, “are very difficult to get.”
Speaking to Sudan Tribune, the SPLM state secretary, Nyok Kucha, however disagreed with laborers. “We are interested in exchange of ideas and there is no law that should stop foreigners from working in Jonglei,” Kucha lamented.
He told Sudan Tribune, that the main aims of the gathering were “to identify unemployed skilled workers and be encouraged to organize under one umbrella.” He appealed to Southern Sudan states to encourage low skilled workers and allow ‘individual foreigner’ group incorporated with local people. “There should be room for competition for better services, and that must favor our people to some degree of course!” Kucha stressed.
The local skilled laborers wanted the state government to significantly reduce the number of foreigners involved in building, carpentry, brick modeling and electrification works. Many of these opportunities are taken up by foreigners, they said.
Majority of foreigners are Ugandans and Kenyans. They are especially devoted in pit latrine digging and cooking in restaurants, jobs Jonglei traditionalists regard unclear. But when contacted by Sudan Tribune, a Ugandan denied overtaking Sudanese laborers “but exploiting a free chance.” Mugezi Kato, a Ugandan laborer, said he welcomes the suggestion to work with Sudanese counterparts.
The meeting however strengthened hope for better income generating activities for the low skilled laborers, once run in organized groups as the authorities wanted. It is the best method to eradicate poverty.
(ST)