Moonilal: Perenco cautions Sookhai as sickout continues

Minister of Energy Roodal Moonilal on July 17 confirmed that oil and gas giant Perenco has cautioned Sookhai’s Engineering and Rental Service Ltd (SERSL) to resolve the impasse between the company and their workers, as the workers continue industrial action in the form of a sickout protest.

“I have taken note of the allegations and claims relating to the terms and conditions of work and the general tenor of labour relations associated with the subcontractors for Perenco,” Moonilal said.

“They have advised the subcontractor to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

“They (SERSL) may have to take corrective action to ensure industrial peace, stability and productivity,” he added.

He said he has asked Minister in the Ministry of Energy Ernesto Kesar to inquire into the matter and communicate the government’s concerns as it relates to the industrial relations between workers and contractors on the Teak Samaan and Poui (TSP) fields.

In a media release from the energy ministry, Moonilal said Kesar’s inquiry into the matter would be with the aim of ensuring the enforcement of workers’ protection standards, without disrupting ongoing exploration and production activities.

He said Perenco, a major operator in the TSP fields, is in direct communication with the energy ministry.

“The provision of operations services is being affected but production has not been impacted,” the release said.

While the TSP fields are operated by Perenco TT, sub-contractors Sookhai’s Engineering and Rental Services Ltd, (SERSL) have been subcontracted for oil and gas production management. Adon’s Construction Ltd is subcontracted for maintenance work.

Newsday understands that Sookhai was awarded the contract for production in the TSP fields in 2018 and the contract is expected to expire in 2027.

From July 7, workers from SERSL took industrial action in the form of a sickout to protest poor conditions which included inferior PPE, delays in payments of salaries, severance, victimisation of workers and being forced to work in a high-risk environment without medical or life insurance.

On July 16, Adon’s employees threatened similar action, claiming that they were also being oppressed through low pay, no overtime, limited access to PPE and no contracts. Employees said 40 out of 48 workers employed under Adon planned to engage in their own sickout.

In a conversation with Newsday, Moonilal confirmed he had directed Kesar to look into the matter involving Sookhai’s and their workers. He said Kesar will inquire further into the specific claims of the workers and officials of the Ministry of Labour. He said Kesar will speak to the matter shortly.

Meanwhile, irate workers of Adon’s Construction claim the officials representing Adon’s may be speaking untruths in response to their claims of mistreatment.

Industrial Relations consultant to Adon’s Courtney McNish spoke with Newsday on July 16, saying, in response to claims of a lack of proper PPE, that workers are given three coveralls per year.

However sources supplied Newsday with a letter to Adon employees titled: “One AdON orange Nomex coverall.”

“Please be advised that one AdON orange Nomex coverall has been assigned to you. Note that these suits are given to you for a minimum duration of 12 months,” the letter said.

The letter added that PPE that has been worn to the point that it has reached the end of its useful life, or PPE that is damaged or defective should be immediately removed from service and returned to the office for inspection. It added that upon the end of an assigned project the coveralls are to be returned to the company. Failure to return the coveralls, or any damage done to the garments could result in the company recovering the cost from the workers.

“Since when do we get three coveralls?” asked one of the workers in respect to the claims.

Another worker expressed his disappointment in McNish’s “dismissive attitude” toward their plight.

“The man said all this ‘stupidness’ is about wage increases. That is what they think about us while they are living a comfortable life and getting paid properly?”

With regard to sick leave some workers claim that they have gotten sick but decided to ride out the sickness on the platform, because they would lose out on their salaries. Others claimed that they had gotten sick but were not paid.

“When I got covid19 the other day, they sent me home. I made three days and I never got paid for the rest of the time. I had to sort out my own scene. I didn’t get a dollar after that.”