Refugees in South Sudan Struggle for Employment Despite Legal Access

(JUBA) – Refugees in South Sudan are legally allowed to work and access public services without the need for work permits, according to a recent analysis published in July 2025.

The report, titled Pathways to Employment, highlights the country’s relatively open and progressive legal framework, particularly the Refugee Act of 2012, which grants socio-economic rights to refugees. However, in practice, many refugees continue to face significant barriers when trying to enter the formal job market.

Refugees receive identity cards upon entry into the country, which serve as the primary documentation for accessing jobs and services. These identity cards, valid for three years, are issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with South Sudan’s Commissioner for Refugee Affairs (CRA). The process begins with an attestation letter at entry points in refugee settlements, which allows access to humanitarian services while waiting for the ID to be issued, often within a month.

At present, the government has placed ID renewal processes on hold in preparation for the introduction of biometric refugee identity cards. These are expected to enhance refugee identification and service access, but no official date for rollout has been confirmed.

Despite the formal rights in place, refugees face various challenges, particularly in accessing financial services. Some banks do not accept refugee IDs as valid documentation to open accounts. This limits their ability to save income, receive payments from employers, or access credit for small businesses. There is no specific regulation mandating banks to accept refugee documents, leaving the decision to individual financial institutions.

The report found that while no work permit is needed for refugees, most of them are employed informally. The South Sudan labour market is largely informal, driven by subsistence agriculture, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of vocational or tertiary education institutions. These factors hinder job creation and reduce employment opportunities for both nationals and refugees.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) remain the largest source of employment for refugees, often engaging them as translators, outreach workers, or clinical assistants. These roles are typically compensated through small stipends and do not amount to formal employment. There is no national data available on how many refugees are currently employed, either formally or informally.

While the report praises South Sudan’s legal protections for refugees, it notes a significant lack of partnerships with the private sector to support refugee livelihoods. A new initiative, the Entrepreneurship Support to Refugees and Host Communities in South Sudan (ESRHC-SS) Project, was launched in April 2023 to promote small-scale enterprise among refugee populations. However, its impact has yet to be assessed.

The report urges the government, NGOs, and refugee-led organisations to raise awareness among employers about refugees’ right to work. It also recommends that humanitarian organisations consider formalising employment arrangements for refugees by providing professional placements and apprenticeships.

Summary of key aspects of refugee employment access in South Sudan: