by Espen Løken
The petroleum industry is global and consists of some of the most powerful companies in the world. These companies, whether it be oil companies or service companies, operate all over the world. We also have seen to many examples of oil becoming a curse for countries, marked by pollution of the environment, corruption and greed. Therefore it is very important to build strong unions within the industry, unions that cooperates across national borders. The Norwegian union “Styrke” (earlier “Industri Energi”) uses lots of resources to contribute to this.
South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. There is extreme poverty and food insecurity, and problems have escalated because of several hundred thousand refugees from the civil war in Sudan.
The by far most important industry and source of income for the country is oil. More than 95% of the income to the Government is oil revenues. This industry is dominated by Chinese, and to some extent Malaysian and Indian companies. In 2017 the union «Workers Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining» (WTUPM) was established. This union is trying to build strength to be able to fight for the workers’ interests as well as make the companies take responsibility for the environment which has to a large extent been polluted.
Since 2009 the union Styrke (before Industri Energi) which amongst others organizes oil workers in Norway, has supported a program by Norwegian People’s Aid aiming at strengthening the civil society in the country. One important part of this has been to support building of the trade unions, especially within the important petroleum industry. This month 3 experts from the union had a 3 days workshop training 40 trade union representatives from WTUPM, focusing on health and safety and governance of trade unions. Even if Norwegian petroleum is an offshore industry while the South Sudanese activities are onshore, the requirements and way of thinking should be the same both regarding the workers safety and the surrounding environment.
Industri Energi (Styrke) uses 3% of the member dues for international work, having projects with trade unions in several countries with the aim of strengthening trade unions. This is especially important in the petroleum industry marked by companies operating all over the world. Cooperating and helping eachother across borders makes the union movement stronger.
Picture: Espen Løken from the union “Styrke” was one of the trainers
Labour News Network 