17 South Sudanese head to Dubai for motorcycle jobs

JUBA – At least 17 South Sudanese nationals travelled to the United Arab Emirates populous city Dubai for motorcycling jobs coordinated by the national government.

Gaani Study Abroad, a South Sudanese company, has secured jobs for 17 nationals to work as motorcyclists in the United Arab Emirates through partnerships with two UAE-based businesses. The announcement came from CEO Ganiko David Daniel during a briefing in Juba on Friday.

David explained that the initiative followed inquiries from young people seeking overseas employment. After receiving approval from the Ministry of Labour, Gaani Study Abroad connected with UAE companies willing to hire South Sudanese workers.

“We’ve been sending students abroad since 2018—over 200 to countries like India, China, Russia, and the UK—but now we’re expanding into job opportunities,” Daniel said, emphasizing the goal of enabling South Sudanese to work internationally.

One of the workers, Cirilo Majur, expressed optimism about the opportunity, noting it would help support their families. He stressed the importance of camaraderie among the group, saying, “We need to stay connected, check on each other, and be friends to handle challenges like stress.”

Agustino Jada, Director of Industrial Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, described the program as a pioneering effort for South Sudan.

“This is the first organized work opportunity abroad—a test stage for our country,” Jada said. He urged the workers to uphold good conduct to maintain South Sudan’s reputation and keep the door open for future opportunities.

The unemployment rate in South Sudan is a significant concern. While specific recent data may vary, a 2023 estimate by Trading Economics indicates a rate of 12.48%. Other sources suggest that youth unemployment is particularly high, potentially exceeding 30%.

The unemployment rate, compounded by economic meltdown, has rendered many youths idle.

sudanspost.com