The East African Business Council (EABC) has called on regional governments to harmonise work permit procedures and laws.

This follows a recent study by the World Bank that indicated regional cross-border trade was being threatened by limitations on free movement of labour and lengthy procedures in obtaining work permits in the East African Community (EAC) bloc. The business council argues that the limitations could suffocate business and affect the region’s growth if they are not urgently dealt with. According to Africa’s Pulse report’, free movement of labour, could reduce the cost of doing business, bridge the skills gap and boost investments through technological transfers.  

This has jolted the council into action. Felix Mosha, the EABC chairman, said business council would hire a consultant to conduct an independent survey on how the current work permit procedures are affecting businesses across the region. 

He noted that the main purpose of study is to examine the current policy, legal and regulatory regimes of work permit in the partner states and recommend harmonisation of the regimes across the EAC region, including classes of work permits, forms and supporting documents, fees and procedures. 

"We want concrete evidence, but most importantly, we would like to see a situation where all regional professionals are recognised and allowed to move freely in the region. That is when integration will benefit EAC citizens,” Mosha told reporters in Arusha on Friday. 

"Allowing people to work and settle freely across the region is an obligation enshrined in the common market protocol…It will also help reduce the cost of doing trade across the region.”

Rwanda was the first country to waive off work permit fees followed by Uganda and Kenya last year.

Tanzania and Burundi still trail behind with the cost of a work permit going for more than $2,000 and $150, respectively.