EAC: Open job market will benefit all

Editor, Refer to the story, “Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya move to open up job market” (The New Times, July 28). 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Editor,

Refer to the story, "Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya move to open up job market” (The New Times, July 28). This is a great move. It is the way to go for all of us. The only challenge I anticipate is for Rwandan and perhaps Ugandan job markets to get flooded with Kenyans. It is nearly impossible for Rwandans to secure jobs in Kenya.

Hopefully Kenya will also attract citizens from the other countries to help them do business across the East African Community (EAC).

Oscar,  Tanzania

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As someone who has seen the European experience, I think that can only work if locals also easily find jobs. Rwandan employers will rather hire other skilled EAC nationals, and this will leave Rwandans not benefitting from this initiative. But yes, this is a good move. After all, I guess successful integration comes at a price.  

Lucas, Rwanda

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If local employers hire skilled EAC nationals rather than Rwanda’s ‘less-skilled’ workforce, it means this will translate into better services to the Rwandan public. This will also eventually drive the cost of labour down. We need to face the new impending challenge, adapt and compete.

Toni, Stuttgart, Germany