NILEPET disowns Workers’ Union amid sit-in strike
Meanwhile, the union, identified as the Staff Workers’ Trade Union, has insisted that it will continue its sit-in strike and demand for the removal of the state-owned oil firm’s managing director.
By Aguok Chok
State-owned oil firm Nile Petroleum Corporation (NILEPET) has disavowed a workers’ union currently leading a sit-in strike over alleged mismanagement, salary arrears, and staff welfare issues.
In a statement dated June 9, 2025, the company’s Public Relations and Corporate Affairs Department described the so-called “NILEPET Workers Trade Union” as an illegal and unrecognized entity, accusing it of being politically motivated and intent on derailing ongoing institutional reforms.
“It is important to clarify that this group, styling itself as the ‘NILEPET Workers Trade Union,’ is neither a registered legal entity nor a recognized structure within the Corporation,” the statement said.
According to NILEPET, the formation of any staff body must comply with procedures outlined in the NILEPET Act—specifically, it must be established through a general assembly convened under the supervision of the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Labour.
The Corporation accused the group of seeking to discredit current leadership and destabilize reform efforts spearheaded by Managing Director Eng. Ayuel Ngor. These reforms, it noted, include stabilizing operations, reviving the downstream sector, and restructuring underperforming subsidiaries.
Union Pushes Forward with Sit-In Strike
Despite NILEPET’s position, the group identifying itself as the Staff Workers’ Trade Union has proceeded with a sit-in strike that began on Monday, June 9. The strike, led by Acting Chairperson Louis Laku Gabrial, demands the removal of the Managing Director and highlights grievances such as delayed salaries, scrapped allowances, lack of training opportunities, poor safety conditions, and inadequate staff welfare.
A circular issued by Gabrial instructed employees at the company headquarters, petrol stations, depots, and joint operating companies nationwide to down their tools daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM until June 16. The notice warned that non-compliant employees would be seen as betraying the collective cause.
On Tuesday, Tito Majok Mayom, Secretary General of the group, reiterated their call for action during a media briefing.
“The staff group is calling on the leadership of the country to immediately remove the current Managing Director,” he said, citing three months of unpaid salaries and persistent administrative neglect.
NILEPET Acknowledges Some Grievances, Points to Historic Challenges
While dismissing the legitimacy of the union, NILEPET acknowledged that some of the staff complaints—including delays in salaries, health insurance, clothing allowances, and bonuses—are genuine and long-standing.
“These challenges have existed since 2022 and were inherited from previous administrations,” the Corporation explained, adding that the situation was worsened by the 2024 shutdown of the BAPCO pipeline in Blocks 3 and 7, which severely impacted revenue.
The company emphasized that current leadership is working on long-term solutions through a robust reform agenda backed by a Presidential directive. Efforts include completing the Petronas divestment process and reactivating stalled operations to stabilize the company’s financial health.
“These efforts reflect a deliberate and unwavering commitment to reform, transparency, and the long-term welfare of NILEPET staff,” the statement read.
Call for Constructive Dialogue
NILEPET urged employees to avoid what it termed a “politically-driven” strike and instead channel concerns through legal and constructive avenues.
“Constructive engagement through legitimate channels remains the appropriate path for addressing staff concerns,” the Corporation emphasized.
The company concluded by assuring stakeholders of its commitment to overcoming inherited structural and financial challenges and building a resilient national oil company that serves the people of South Sudan.
“These challenges have existed since 2022 and were inherited from previous administrations,” NILEPET statement.
