Labour Act, 2017 (Act No.64).

This Act, comprising 127 Articles divided into XXII Chapters, aims to establish a legal framework for the minimum conditions of employment, labour relations, labour institutions, dispute resolution and provision for health and safety at the workplace. It aligns with the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011, and international and regional obligations.
The Act comprehensively addresses various key aspects of workplace rights, encompassing non-discrimination (art.6), prevention of sexual harassment (art.7), ensuring equal pay for equal work (art.8), upholding the freedom of association (art.9) through trade unions or employers’ associations, prohibiting forced labor (art.10), and safeguarding the right to privacy (art.14). Additionally, it includes provisions for the employment of South Sudanese citizens abroad (art.11) and establishes the Labour Advisory Council (Article 20), which offers guidance to the Minister on labor-related matters. The Act also creates the National Labour Commission (art.16) to oversee labor dispute resolution. Furthermore, it regulates employment agencies, safeguards wages, and governs working hours and leave, including maternal and paternal leave. The Act dedicates sections to protecting young individuals and women, notably by prohibiting child labor (arts. 12 and 13). In Chapter XI, the Act extends its coverage to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of workers, encompassing safe working conditions, prevention of occupational diseases, and compensation for work-related injuries. Additionally, it outlines regulations pertaining to industrial action and the resolution of industrial disputes.