IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? All companies in the oil industry are required to complete and submit an annual program contract and a human resources development plan, each showing steps being taken toward Angolanization of their workforce, by Oct. 31.

What does the change mean? Companies that do not meet the program contract are subject to fines, and companies that do not follow the procedures will not be able to request work visas.

  • Implementation timeframe: The deadline for submitting a plan is Oct. 31.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work visas.
  • Who is affected: Companies in the oil sector.
  • Business impact: Applications are expected to take longer and it will be more difficult to obtain work permits.
  • Next steps: Companies in this sector shouldfile their plan by the end of this month to ensure that they will be eligible to apply for work visas in 2015.

Background: The Training Decree Law, enacted in 2009, mandates that oil companies under a program contract with the Ministry of Petroleum must file a human resources development plan every year. Companies in the oil industry must complete their registration with the Ministry of Petroleum and sign a program contract that is updated annually to meet quota requirements for foreign workers. The human resources development plan must be submitted on official forms and set out a company’s recruitment and training goals for foreign nationals and Angolan workers as well as the goals to hire more Angolan workers in the coming year.

BAL Analysis: Companies in the oil industry should work with their BAL attorney to complete their plan by the deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Angola. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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