Monday, August 30, 2010
What next
East African Countries have committed to cooperate and coordinate. This has been in many areas including financial sector policy, harmonization of tax policies and laws, transport policy, environmental management, statistics, research and technological development, intellectual property rights, industrial development and agriculture and food security. These are areas of ongoing work and will be taken forward at the regional level by the EAC states.
No work permit needed.
The common market protocol provides for work permits to still be a requirement for working in another partner state. This does not mean that every EAC does require a work permit, it only means that countries are allowed to maintain a work permit scheme if they wish to. It is up to each individual that wishes to cross the border to find out if a work permit is required and to produce the documentation required to obtain one.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their passports or national identification documentation at the point entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. For Jobs that will lat than 90 days, workers will need a special pass and for jobs lasting longer than 90 days, a work permit, special passes and work permits require different supporting documentation. Spouses and children may be allowed to travel with the worker if they apply as well.
Although workers permits are still in place, the protocol does make it easier to know how much time and effort is required to acquire one: the timeframe for obtaining a work permit is now limited to 30 days across the region, and applicants are entitled to know why in writing and to challenge this decision. EAC countries have also agreed to harmonize the fees for work permits, and this is part of the ongoing negotiating process.
The protocol also contains a very important principle which is that once a country has made its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures less strict towards other EAC citizens, it can’t o back on this decision. So it a country removes work permits, this decision can not be reversed and they can’ be re instituted in the future.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their passports or national identification documentation at the point entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. For Jobs that will lat than 90 days, workers will need a special pass and for jobs lasting longer than 90 days, a work permit, special passes and work permits require different supporting documentation. Spouses and children may be allowed to travel with the worker if they apply as well.
Although workers permits are still in place, the protocol does make it easier to know how much time and effort is required to acquire one: the timeframe for obtaining a work permit is now limited to 30 days across the region, and applicants are entitled to know why in writing and to challenge this decision. EAC countries have also agreed to harmonize the fees for work permits, and this is part of the ongoing negotiating process.
The protocol also contains a very important principle which is that once a country has made its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures less strict towards other EAC citizens, it can’t o back on this decision. So it a country removes work permits, this decision can not be reversed and they can’ be re instituted in the future.
Free movement for workers.
Not all types off workers will be able to move. The movement of workers is governed by Annex II of the protocol which lists the different types of occupations that are eligible to move into different counties. The lists of workers are long and are different for each country, so workers will need to find out either by looking at the relevant section of the protocol or by contacting Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA) for this information to establish whether they are eligible to move.
The extension of the protocol to all workers has been agreed by partner states and will be negotiated over the implementation period, taking into account the needs and concerns of all partner states.
The extension of the protocol to all workers has been agreed by partner states and will be negotiated over the implementation period, taking into account the needs and concerns of all partner states.
Kenyans benefiting from the common market.
Kenyans are going to benefit disproportionately form the common market. Concerns are often raised about Kenyans worker and business entering Ugandans and take over the jobs and establishing business that will drive Ugandans out. For Uganda, we should be concentrating on identifying where the opportunities are for o benefit form the common market. Perhaps Uganda is a good market for the Kenyans, but Rwanda and Burundi, are excellent markets for Uganda. Uganda s should looking at opportunities to compete with Kenyans in Kenya, but also to provide services and skills in markets that need new entrants.
The common market is about identifying where Ugandans have a comparative advantage. Uganda has identified agriculture, Tourism and education as some of the areas where we have advantage in the region. In addition, we have some of the best professionals in the region. Lawyers, architects. Engineers, doctors should not be afraid of competition, we should see this as an opportunity to sell our impressive skills n our partner states.
The common market is about identifying where Ugandans have a comparative advantage. Uganda has identified agriculture, Tourism and education as some of the areas where we have advantage in the region. In addition, we have some of the best professionals in the region. Lawyers, architects. Engineers, doctors should not be afraid of competition, we should see this as an opportunity to sell our impressive skills n our partner states.
Misconceptions about the EAC common market
The common market is a good idea but has been rushed into. This is what many business men lament about. Regional integration is a process and not a destination. The launch of the common market marks the beginning of a gradual process of implementation of the common market protocol, which will in the future, develop into a fully fledged common market that fully allows for free movement of goods, labor, services and capital.
The common market protocol, the agreement which details what EAC countries have agreed to do to implement the common market, specifically calls for implementation of the provisions of the protocol to be progressive. This is to ensure that the common market is put in place at a pace that is appropriate for Uganda and all the other EAC states.
We should prepare ourselves for the changes that will take place over the next few years, but we should not be afraid that changes will happen overnight or without the care and attention that is necessary.
The common market protocol, the agreement which details what EAC countries have agreed to do to implement the common market, specifically calls for implementation of the provisions of the protocol to be progressive. This is to ensure that the common market is put in place at a pace that is appropriate for Uganda and all the other EAC states.
We should prepare ourselves for the changes that will take place over the next few years, but we should not be afraid that changes will happen overnight or without the care and attention that is necessary.
ASTONISHING NEWS FOR FOREIGNERS
Foreigners will acquire land in Uganda under the common market.The question of how land will be addressed under the common market is key one with fears expressed that Ugandans will lose out with land being bought by people coming from other partner states come the end of this year. Hey folks, this is not true. Land is key factor of production and as such land control and ownership is a critical issues under the common market. Ugandans should however note that under the common market protocol, access to land use of land will be governed by the national politics and laws of the partner states. The government of Uganda through consultation with the public is developing a national land policy and reviewing the land laws. The ministry of east African community affairs has communicated some of the concerns raised by the public through the national land policy consultation process. It is these policies once developed that will govern how Ugandans and those seeking to acquire and use land be they from the EAC region or foreigners in Uganda.
A BRIGHT FUTURE A HEAD
People will no longer need a work permit to work in other East African Common countries. The common market will provide for work permits as a requirement for working in another partner state. This does not mean that every EAC country does require a work permit, it only means that countries are allowed to maintain a work permit scheme it they wish to. It is up to each individual that wishes to cross the border to find out if a work permit is required and to produce the documents required to obtain one.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their national passports or national identification documents at the point of entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. Hey good news for family heads; you and your children may be allowed to travel if you apply on time.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their national passports or national identification documents at the point of entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. Hey good news for family heads; you and your children may be allowed to travel if you apply on time.
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