GPOC employees condemn ‘discrimination’ by company
GPOC employees as they protested at Unity oilfields in January 2020 (Photo credit: Nyamilepedia)
June 29, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudanese employees of the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) have condemned what they said is discrimination against national workers by the oil consortium, days after the company threatened to take “necessary” measures against them.
Last week, the GPOC president, Mr. Gou Xinwen threatened to take necessary actions against the employees if they fail to present a certificate of registration because it is needed by the Trade Union Act of 2013.
“Before GPOC officially respond to you, please submit the following documents by 24 June 2020 to prove your Legal Personality as per Article 14 of the Workers Trade Union Act 2013 South Sudan,” Xinwen wrote on June 22.
In a statement extended to South Sudan News Now this afternoon, the employees condemned the comments by Mr. Xinwen and said they jeopardize the spirit of the parties in working out solutions to the grievances of the national workers.
“The WTUPM-GPOC-SO rejects and condemns unfair discrimination, ill intentions towards National Employees & NilePet Secondees, threatening language, and inconsistencies in all its forms from GPOC Management, foreign partners and commits itself to the eradication of all these unnecessary practices that are against the mission and core values of this great company,” the workers said in the statement.
The statement said the legality of the body has never been in question and that they have been working with the oil consortium since coming into existence in late April 2018.
“It is very unfortunate for GPOC Management to resort to this language, as it is our third year as a sub-office body in GPOC since its inception on 28 April 2018. WTUPM-GPOC-Sub-Office’s legal existence has never been in dispute, as we have been working together addressing one another with letters and emails and we believe GPOC management is alive to this fact,” the statement said.
“Be that as it may, the WTUPM-GPOC-Sub Office finds it worrying that GPOC has the audacity to sits on the fundamental rights of national oil workers, simply because they are or were not formed into a legally recognize body,” the statement added.
“It is worth stressing that the WTUPM-GPOC-Sub-Office is a body advocating for peaceful, equal treatment of all its EMPLOYEES regardless of nationality, prosperous GPOC, and for all its key stakeholders in the business to benefit, and not as PARTNERS THINK.
“Undeservedly, such a threatening language will not divert our unshakeable position on our rights and all that is required is to resolve all our demands once, and for all on or before 30 June 2020 without pre-conditions.
“Failure to do so, GPOC management is responsible for any eventuality after the said deadline and urge your partners and MOP to reconsider their positions and remove their knees that have been on our necks since 2012.
“The WTUPM-GPOC-SO would also like to take this opportunity urging Ministry of Petroleum to exercise its regulatory roles, as our beloved country is matching toward a country free of institutionalised corruption, nepotism, tribalism, lack of accountability and transparency, as well as addressing problems of its key stakeholders in responsible manners. Everyone should be mindful and always check in silent what the history would say about you in this political and business world.
“As the threat to silent us, is getting more real, and louder from many dimensions given the fact that there is no justice to voices of innocents, and those perceived weak, we are therefore obliged to present our position paper to all media outlets, and the country leadership for further information, as well as for general public consumption, clearing empty charges against the Union.”
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