The issue of work permit fees could be a thing of the past in the EAC if the regional bloc duly implements a Resolution passed by EALA today. The Assembly has passed a Motion for a Resolution advocating for the elimination of work permit fees for citizens of the region in the spirit of enhancing free movement of workers.
In this respect, the Assembly also commended the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda for taking the first steps in eliminating the work permit fees for the citizens of the EAC urged the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Uganda to emulate the same spirit.
The Resolution passed in the House this afternoon notes that EAC citizens have been subjected to altered work permit fees in the region which are divided in to several classes catering for different professions. The United Republic of Tanzania according to the Resolution has a total of 13 sub-classes, Uganda 9, while Rwanda and Burundi have 2 sub-classes each.
The Resolution moved by Hon Bernard Mulengani and seconded by Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar, takes cognisance of the fact that Article 76 of the Treaty for the establishment of the EAC recognises that within the Common Market, there shall be free movement of labour, goods, services, capital and the right of establishment. Article 10 of the Common Market Protocol on its part, guarantees that the Partner States do provide for free movement of workers, who are citizens of the other Partner States within their territories.
According to the Resolution, the current fee charged to obtain work permits also vary. In the United Republic of Tanzania, the fees range from USD 6 for peasants up to USD 3,000 for miners while in Uganda it ranges from USD 250 for missionaries up to USD 2500 for miners. In Burundi, the fees range from USD 60 for students to USD 84 for regular workers. The objective of the work permit is seen as a mode of earning revenue and taxes or regulation of free movement according to the mover of the motion.
In the Resolution thus, EALA thus urges the Council of Ministers to call for harmonisation of national laws in order to allow for free movement of labour and services.
Supporting the motion, Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar said the move would create a sense of ‘East Africaness’ and would ensure ultimately, ‘Brand East Africa’ is realised. He called for a sense of identity and mutual benefit amongst citizens and said abolishing work permits was a step in that direction. Hon Mike Sebalu lauded the Motion as timely to take the integration to the next level. ‘We need to move freely and take integration away from the boardroom to the people’, Hon Sebalu declared. Hon Abdul Karim Harelimana noted that the region had continued to realise some benefits accruing from the Common Market Protocol and noted that the imaginary fears especially about loss of revenue and insecurity should be dispelled. The legislator noted that today over 170 Kenyan companies had set up operations in Rwanda and the move was greatly benefiting Rwandans.
Hon Maryam Ussi supported the motion with caution noting that there were still threats of terrorism around the borders. ‘If international passports can be forged, then even the East African passports are subject to forgery’, the legislator remarked. On equality of jobs and provision of services, Hon Ussi noted that many citizens were still unable to work in the neighbouring Partner States. Hon Susan Nakawuki chided Partner States for hiding behind bureaucracies to deny free movement noting that currently, work permit fees were also high. ‘I congratulate Kenya and Rwanda for the move to withdraw permit fees and also note that Kenya and Uganda are working on a similar bilateral move’, Hon Nakawuki said. Hon Mukasa Mbidde noted that the issue of permits had been used as Non-Tariff Barriers and said the decision by Rwanda and Kenya to collaborate in the matter exemplified the Principle of Variable Geometry which applies in the integration model.
Rising in support of the motion, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi however maintained that work permits were a monitoring instrument in absence of the identity cards. ‘I request for a scientific analysis to see the amount of revenue raised by the citizens of the region arising from the work permits’ the Member noted.
Others in support of the motion were Hon Dr. James Ndahiro, Hon Judith Pareno and Hon Nancy Abisai.
In response, the Deputy Minister of EAC in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Abdulla Sadaalla noted that harmonisation of the national laws was currently in progress and that United Republic of Tanzania had reviewed relevant laws, in alignment to the Common Market Protocol.’ I can confirm that we have finalised the review process and are now awaiting the process of ratification’, the Minister remarked. Hon Leontine Nzeyimana, Minister of EAC in the Republic of Burundi pledged the Ministry would pursue the removal of the work permit fees with the authorities.
The Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine reiterated the need for all Partner States to fully implement the Common Market. He lauded the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda for the bold move in abolishing permit fees. Hon Bageine remarked that Republic of Uganda recently made the decision to abolish work permit fees for citizens in Uganda. He noted that at the moment, it was necessary to abolish the work permit fees but eventually, once we federate, (Political Federation), then the work permits would be totally removed. The Council of Ministers, Hon Bageine remarked, shall deliberate into the matter and make the necessary follow-up with regards to ensuring the full implementation of the Common Market Protocol.
The House also asked Priority Questions to the Council of Ministers. The questions on youth, agriculture, harmonisation of mineral policies and food security were tabled by Hon Susan Nakawuki and Hon Isabelle Ndahayo respectively.
DOWNLOAD: ORAL ANSWERS TO PRIORITY QUESTIONS
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania Number in Kigali +250783452347
