South Sudan has signed unified policy document with oil companies, ending years of protest and negotiation to harmonize payment and salary structure. The pact, if implemented, will now allow oil companies and other institutions operating in South Sudan to make equal pay for doing the same job with foreign nationals in the oil and other sectors.
Minister Puot Kang explained to reporters that the unified human resources policy document will be the basis of employment and payment in the oil industry. The document, he explained, requires that nationals and foreign experts in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work.
The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal. If there is an inequality in wages between these two categories, employers may not reduce the wages of either employee to equalize their pay. A key step in developing a unified policy is to produce an equal pay policy, which should be distinct and explicit, not an add-on to more general equality and diversity policy.
He expressed gratefulness to the staff, president Salva Kiir, first vice president Riek Machar and the cabinet for support during the negotiation and consistency in ensuring the policy document is implemented without changes.
Today we have initialled the agreement on the full implementation of the Unified Human Resources Policy Manual. (UHRPM) A document that was launched on the 21st of December 2020. However, all this time, we have been having back and forth discussions with the partners. But, finally, yesterday we have agreed that the document must be implemented without any changes to it. Today, it was initialled by Mr Liu Zyiyong, Country manager of CNPC/CNODC, Mr Peter Majid, Country Chairman of PETRONAS Carigali Nile Ltd,
Mr Praveen Kumar, Acting Country Manager of ONGC/OVL, and Mr Yang Qingwen, Alternate Director of the SIPC/SINOPEC. These are the major shareholders. The three consortiums have initialled the agreement today. We believe it’s now a working document. The Joint Operating Companies (JOCs) will only work on how to implement it. The agreement has already been reached and that is what we have done today”, explained Minister Puot Kang.
He continued: To my fellow South Sudanese people, allow me to thank and appreciate the leadership of our country for their firm support and their stance behind the ministry of Petroleum particularly President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, The First Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny, and the Cabinet. Their support for this Agenda renders a positive outcome. I thank them so much for their support.
Kang applauded the National staff for their patience and tolerance. Each time they would want to strike, we would advise them to call it off and go back to their houses. They have never disappointed or disobeyed us. We are thankful to them all”, he said.
He added: Last but not least, they have achieved it today. I would like to congratulate them on their victory. I would also like to congratulate all the people of South Sudan. The victory is not exclusively for JOCs workers. This achievement is for all of us because if you’re not on board today, probably you will be the Captain of the Ship tomorrow.
