During the 35th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, the Government of Mozambique approved the new Regulation on Mechanisms and Procedures for the Recruitment of Foreign Nationals, thereby revoking Decree No. 37/2016 of August 31 and Decree No. 43/2022 of August 19. This new regulation aims to clarify and streamline the processes for hiring foreign workers, with the goal of attracting more foreign investment while safeguarding the rights and employment of the national workforce.
Objectives of the revision
The Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, in a press release, explained that the primary reason for revising the regulation is to provide greater openness to attract foreign investment, one of the main drivers of Mozambique’s economic growth. By facilitating the hiring of foreign nationals in specific sectors, the Government hopes to create new employment opportunities and strengthen the business environment in the country. However, the structural principle of protecting the national workforce remains a priority, seeking to strike a balance between recruiting foreign workers and promoting jobs for Mozambicans.
The new legislation also aims to minimize labor disputes often caused by perceptions of unfairness in working relationships between Mozambican and foreign workers. The recent strike at the Sasol Petrochemical Company in Inhambane illustrates such tensions. National employees protested against the replacement of Mozambican workers with foreign nationals, raising questions about the fairness of dismissal and recruitment processes.
Significance of streamlining procedures
Streamlining the mechanisms for recruiting foreign workers reflects Mozambique’s need to integrate more fully into global value chains, especially in strategic sectors such as extractive industries, petrochemicals, and renewable energies, where technical expertise and specialized know-how are often required. The aim is to attract multinational companies and international specialists while ensuring that the local workforce also has access to training and career advancement opportunities within these companies.
On the other hand, protecting the national workforce remains a central concern of the regulation, particularly in the context of high competition for jobs in key sectors. The revision seeks to ensure that, while allowing the hiring of foreign workers for specialized positions or in cases of local skills shortages, Mozambicans are not sidelined in favor of cheaper or substitute foreign labor.
Impact on labor relations and social harmony
One of the most relevant aspects of the regulation’s revision is its potential to reduce labor conflicts between national and foreign workers. In recent years, particularly in large investment projects, there have been several strikes driven by dissatisfaction with the hiring of foreign nationals for jobs that, according to local workers, could be filled by Mozambicans. For example, the Sasol Petrochemical Company was recently the site of a strike in which local workers protested against what they saw as unfair dismissals in favor of foreign replacements.
The expectation is that, under the new rules, recruitment and selection processes will become more transparent, with greater clarity regarding the reasons for hiring foreign workers, thereby reducing the risk of strikes and labor disputes. Mediation between employers, national workers, and foreign employees will also be strengthened, fostering an environment of improved social dialogue.
Next steps for implementation
Following the approval of the new regulation, the next step will be the effective implementation of the new rules. This involves creating control mechanisms to ensure that the hiring of foreign workers is carried out in compliance with the established regulations and that companies meet the requirements to promote national employment. The Government is also expected to conduct an awareness campaign for employers and the general public, providing information on the changes and the opportunities created by the new regulation.
General guidelines
The new Regulation on Mechanisms and Procedures for the Recruitment of Foreign Nationals represents a significant step forward in strengthening Mozambique’s economy while promoting greater social and economic justice. By facilitating the hiring of foreign workers in necessary areas and ensuring more transparency and fairness in labor relations, the Government of Mozambique is creating a more favorable environment for sustainable economic growth, while ensuring that the national workforce remains a fundamental pillar of the country’s development.
For more information on the new regulation and its implications for Mozambique’s labor market, refer to the Government’s official portal.
