IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? All companies in the oil industry are reminded that they are required to submit their annual program contract and human resources development plan to the Ministry of Petroleum before the end of October.

What does the change mean? The plans must indicate the company’s 2016 goals for recruiting foreign workers and training Angolan workers.

  • Implementation time frame: The plans should be filed by Oct. 30, ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work visas.
  • Who is affected: All companies in the oil sector.
  • Business impact: Timely filing of the plans by oil companies will help ensure that they remain eligible for work visas in 2016.
  • Next steps: Companies should make sure to submit their plans on prescribed forms before the end of the month.

Background: Companies in the oil industry register with the Ministry of Petroleum and sign a program contract that is updated annually to meet quota requirements for foreign workers. The ministry has interpreted the law to require that all oil companies, including those without a program contract, submit an annual human resources development plan. The 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 are encouraged to submit their plans by the deadline to avoid delays or complications in recruiting and hiring foreign workers.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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