Roles and Benefits of Workers Trade’s Union of Petroleum and Mining in South Sudan

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 on Freedom of Assembly and Association, article 25 (1) says: the right to peaceful assembly is recognized and guaranteed; every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his or her interests.

The conventional role of a trade union is to improve the wages and conditions of members under which they are operating. In saying that, the WORKERS’ Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining (WTUPM) under supervision of South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union was formed in October 21, 2017. The potential role of the WTUPM is to protect and promote the rights of the petroleum and mining workers by:

-        Securing social, economic justice and development for all workers

Fight vigorously for standard of living, social security and fair conditions of work for all

-        Facilitating and coordination education and training of all workers so as to further the interest of the working class

-        Conduction, coordination and publishing research into matters affecting workers.    

Through peaceful negotiation, the WTUPM is able to secure workers ‘demands and rights. It is as well mandated to improve communication between employees and management to facilitate the understanding and commitment to union’s objectives.

In normal practice, the main weakness of newly established union such as the WTUPM is the reluctances, making the cooperation a challenge between union and management of oil and mining companies and concern institutions in the country. In such unions, the first reasons click to management’s mind are strikes and demonstrations. However, the pivotal role of the WTUPM is to address the workers conditions in cooperation with the management in such that to delay and prevent destructive strikes and demonstrations to occur.

Positively, members of the WTUPM understand the importance working and stick to laws, rules and objectives of the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, Constitution of the WTUPM 2017, Labor Act 2017, Workers Trade Unions and Organizations Act 2013, Petroleum and Mining Act 2012.    

Working with recognized trade union such as the WTUPM can bring many benefits to company and indeed to employers. The benefits range from building trust among the workforce, ensure workplaces are safe to audit non-compliance with labor codes, improve staff retention and from promote equality, provide access to learning and skills, save money and increase productivity.

The government represented by ministry of petroleum, ministry of labor, ministry of mining, ministry of justice and ministry of environment have already expressed their supports cooperation with the union. The Nile Petroleum Cooperation (NILEPET) and indeed all oil operating companies did the same.  

So far, the WTUPM has conducted couple of workshops on awareness raising of the Petroleum and Mining workers on extractive laws and safety regulations in South Sudan. The union is shading more awareness on its objectives, roles and activities in the coming four years.   

Enforcement of all constitutions, laws, rules and acts organizing and governing the WTUPM by the government, oil and mining companies and indeed by the WTUPM is essential. Cooperation between the WTUPM and the management of oil and mining companies operating in the country is significant to improve the workers conditions in terms of wages, loans, training and other related benefits. This reduces mosquito principles against management and helps motivate workers and increase productivity.