Oil companies renew commitment to implement unified policy document

JUBA – South Sudan’s oil companies on Thursday reiterated their commitment to implement the unified policy document that aims to harmonize payment and salary structure for personnel working in the oil sector.

Liu Zaiyong, Country Manager of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) said that they agreed to implement the document without any changes.

“The process is not very easy, it is more of companion, is more of forgiveness, and is more of mutual understanding and finally, we have achieved it,” Liu said during a consultative workshop on Unified Human Resources Policy Manual on Thursday in Juba.

Liu appreciated the leadership of the Ministry standing firm with oil companies to achieve the milestone.

“We really appreciate the instructions of the leadership of the Minister of Petroleum and his team and the Joint Operating Companies (JOCs) for achieving this milestone,” Liu said.

Over the past year, nationals working in the oil sector have battled with oil operating companies over the improvement of their welfare and the implementation of a new human resource policy.

The workers laid down their tools both at the headquarters in Juba and at the oil fields several times.

They have been demanding harmonization of salary structure, allowances, loans, and social insurance funds among others to both national and international staff,

The Unified Human Resources Policy Manual which was launched on the 21st of December 2020 requires nationals and foreign experts in the oil and other sectors to be given equal pay for equal work.

The Human Resource Policy calls for the reduction of expenditure on the cost of air tickets, accommodation, visas, and group life insurance for expatriates.

It also stated that the unification of salary structure among the Joint Operating Companies shall be reviewed and communicated to them.