Oil workers vow to continue strike

Several oil workers from Great Pioneer Operating Company Limited (GPOC) have vowed to continue with the strike till the company implements the new government-approved Human Resource Manual.

The workers said the management of the oil consortium (GPOC) has been hesitant to implement the policy since it was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020.

The manual bridges the wages and allowance gap between the national and expatriates working for the oil companies operating in South Sudan as well as working days.

Speaking to The City Review on Wednesday, a staff of Dar Petroleum who preferred anonymity said they would continue with the strike till the GPOC management implements the policy.  

“We have three major issues: the salary disparity between the nationals and expatriates, lack of allowances for nationals, and overworking in the field beyond 28 days.

“The government approved the Human Resource Policy and the minister of Petroleum ordered its implementation in August this year, but [management] refused,” the staff said.

 “They [management] keep saying they are still negotiating with the authorities. We will go to the office on Friday to see what they will tell us again. If no positive response is given to us, next week on Monday, we will not go for work until the administration implemented the government’s directive.”

The Monday strike by the oil workers was the latest in several strikes by the consortium oil workers demanding equal treatment of all the staff. In March 2021, Dar Petroleum staff went on a three-day strike over the same matter; three months after June 2021. 

Previous efforts

In July 2021, the Minister of Petroleum ordered oil exploration companies in South Sudan to implement the approved new policy and content of the regulation of 2019.

However, the policy which was supposed to be effective from December 2020, is yet to be implemented by GPOC, DPOC, SPOC, and the state-owned Nile Petroleum Limited (NilePet).

“We want them to pay all our arrears as from December 2020 as approved by the government if not we will continue to strike,” another oil worker said without mentioning his name.

The workers said the highest salary of nationals ranges from $700 to $3000 while expatriates’ salary holding the same position with their national counterparts ranges from $25,000 to $74,000.  

The Secretary-General of the Oil Workers Trade Union Ater Yout Riak told The City Review that talks were underway with companies to ensure the matter was resolved.

“I am on the way going for a meeting over the matter when the discussion is over we will inform you about the outcome,” Yot said.

However, Tuesday, Yout told VOA South Sudan in focus that oil production would be impacted negatively should workers continue with the strike in the three days.