Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, with Ms Sylvia Mulinge at a past event. FILE PHOTO | NMG
The hiring back of Sylvia Mulinge by Safaricom after more than
five months of unresolved work permit issues that blocked her
appointment as Vodacom Tanzania managing director now casts doubt on the
East African Community’s (EAC) integration polices.
Safaricom
chief executive Bob Collymore announced on Thursday the telco was
rehiring Ms Mulinge as director for special projects, asking staff to
welcome her “back home,” barely three weeks after Vodacom Tanzania
filled her position on interim basis.
This curious case
mirrors the frustrations that await thousands of professionals across
the region as a result of national interests that favour localisation of
jobs, sacrificing the regional protocols that promise free movement of
labour.
Ms Mulinge required a class B residence permit
to work in Tanzania, according to information available on the Tanzania
High Commission’s website.
“Residence permit Class B is
issued to foreign expatriates with rare profession to obtain in the
country to work for the companies in the country,” states the website
concerning procedures for issuance of residence and work permits.
Her
appointment at Safaricom leaves her Vodacom appointment in limbo given
that effective September 1, Hisham Hendi replaced her in an acting
capacity.
“In this role she will report directly to me, and will be
responsible for spearheading our commercial revival and help us deliver
our strategy and transform Safaricom into a business that is fit for the
future,” said Mr Collymore.
Ms Mulinge joined Safaricom in 2006 from Unilever where she served as Sunlight brand manager.
At Safaricom, she rose to the position of director, consumer business in March 2015.
Her appointment to Vodacom Tanzania saw Charles Wanjohi take over her position on interim basis.
In her new role, she will be expected to help win back customer trust, according to Mr Collymore.
“In
the immediate short term, Sylvia will be working with the commercial
teams to restore customer trust and loyalty as we prepare for
Safaricom’s coming of age as we celebrate our 18th anniversary which
will be marked on October 23,” said the chief executive.
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