South Sudan’s oil workers’ union on Monday petitioned the Court of Appeal, challenging the implementation of the Labour Ministry’s Public Circular No. 5, 2026.
The oil workers’ unions of DPOC, GPOC and SPOC Cooperative Society said they had initially sought to resolve their concerns through dialogue and administrative engagement with the labour ministry before turning to the courts.
According to Victor Vojoki Caesar Zemangi, Chairman of the Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) Cooperative Society, the workers and employers engaged the ministry in good faith and allowed sufficient time for their concerns to be addressed. However, he said those efforts did not produce a resolution, leaving the group with no reasonable alternative but to seek judicial intervention.
“Having exhausted these avenues, we are left with no reasonable alternative but to seek the intervention of the competent court,” Vojoki said in a statement.
The petition seeks a determination on the legality and proper application of matters arising from Public Circular No. 5, 2026, including whether its implementation is consistent with the Constitution, applicable laws and established legal principles.
The oil workers stressed that their decision to challenge the circular should not be interpreted as opposition to social protection or the establishment of an effective social insurance system in South Sudan.
They said they support a social insurance system that is lawful, transparent, accountable and properly governed, and which genuinely serves the interests of workers and their families.
The group said issues concerning workers’ contributions, social security and long-term welfare were matters of significant public interest that required proper consultation, transparency, public trust and institutional accountability.
Vojoki said the court petition was intended to ensure that the implementation of the circular was subjected to proper legal scrutiny while protecting the rights and interests of those directly affected.
The oil workers expressed confidence in the independence and competence of the judiciary and said they would submit themselves to the judicial process.
They also called on workers, employers, civil society organisations, government institutions and the public to remain calm and allow the judicial process to take its course.
The group urged all relevant authorities and stakeholders to respect the judicial process and refrain from actions or statements that could undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
The oil workers reaffirmed their commitment to protecting workers’ rights, promoting social justice and supporting the establishment of sustainable and trusted social insurance systems in South Sudan.
They said they would continue to pursue the matter responsibly and transparently and keep the public informed of significant developments as the case progresses.
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