Employees of South Sudan’s state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet) began a sit-in strike Monday, demanding the removal of Managing Director Ayuel Ngor Kwocgor over alleged mismanagement and delayed salaries.
Nilepet is a government-owned oil and gas company in South Sudan. The company has over 2,000 staff members.
Heavy security presence was reported outside Nilepet’s headquarters in Juba as workers launched the weeklong protest, which will run daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tito Majok Mayom, secretary-general of the Staff Workers’ Trade Union, told Radio Tamazuj that employees would escalate their actions if their demands were not met.
“If there’s no feedback, the staff will decide the next steps,” Mayom said.
He called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to dismiss Ngor, accusing him of failing to engage with staff or address financial grievances since his appointment in October 2024.
Union members cited unpaid salaries, suspended benefits, and lack of transparency in promotions as key concerns.
Nancy Malir, a union representative, said workers had gone three months without pay despite the resumption of oil production.
“Our salaries were cut by 70%, and management promised arrears once production resumed, but nothing has been paid,” Malir said.
Garang Ater, the union’s spokesperson, added that food rations for employees had been suspended for five months.
Nilepet’s management did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
South Sudan relies on oil for over 90% of its revenue but depends on Sudan’s infrastructure for exports.
Last month, Sudan’s army-backed government warned it might shut down oil facilities after RSF drone attacks damaged key infrastructure in Port Sudan.