This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On August 28, 2019, South Sudan Minister of Interior ordered the deportation of 16 Kenyans and 4 British nationals working for a private security firm, Insight Security.
The deportation order came after the firm failed to resolve a pay dispute over salaries and arrears owed to guards working for the company.
According to Thiik Thiik Mayardit, the deputy Mayor of Juba City Council, the 20 foreigners were given 72 hours to pay all dues owed to the government and their employees' pensions before leaving the country.
The South Sudan authorities had closed down the private security firm last week, citing allegations of exploiting local workers and failing to pay taxes.
Insight Security was accused of mistreating its workers, and its bosses were arrested last week.
Mayardit stated that the firm's contract of employment indicated that the least paid guard was supposed to receive a monthly salary of $179, while others were to receive between $200 and $400.
However, the company paid the guards in South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), with salaries ranging from 15,000 SSP to 30,000 SSP, which is significantly less than what the contracts provide for.
Insight Management defended itself, saying it abided by the law.
