Editor, I think that the complete waiver of work permit fees among the East African Community (EAC) partner states is not necessary at the moment. East African countries are still relatively poor and generating revenue where and when you can is not only a smart move but it is also a necessary one. Perhaps we can implement a system that actually weighs the earnings of the workers as well as the duration of their employment contracts and charge them accordingly.
Editor,
I think that the complete waiver of work permit fees among the East African Community (EAC) partner states is not necessary at the moment. East African countries are still relatively poor and generating revenue where and when you can is not only a smart move but it is also a necessary one. Perhaps we can implement a system that actually weighs the earnings of the workers as well as the duration of their employment contracts and charge them accordingly.
Even rich and powerful countries such as the US and Canada charge foreign workers a standard fee regardless of how much you earn as a foreign worker or your field of work. And these nations are already rich!
Advocating for a free work permit for foreign workers in the EAC partner-nations is not at all good business. Let’s face it: Rwanda, much like most of its partners, is still struggling to build a strong economy, and giving away free stuff is definitely not the way to go.
Shabaka, TorontoCanada
Reaction to the letter, "EAC states should waive work permit fees for the good of the Community”, (The New Times, October 8)