Oil Workers' Safety In Angola: Is It Safe?

Angola is one of the largest oil producers in Africa, with an output of approximately 1.1-1.4 million barrels of oil per day. The country's economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbon production, with the petroleum industry accounting for almost 75% of its revenues. As a result, Angola's economy is vulnerable to crude oil price volatility, and the government has implemented a macroeconomic stabilization program to reduce its fiscal deficit and improve exchange rate flexibility.

Angola has a history of civil war from 1975 to 2002, and this has impacted the development of its oil industry, particularly onshore exploration. The country experienced an oil production boom between 2002 and 2008 when production at its deepwater fields began, and it became a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2007.

The country's oil industry is dominated by upstream exploration and production of offshore crude oil, with almost 75% of oil production coming from offshore fields. Angola's oil production primarily serves the international market, with most of its crude oil being exported due to limited domestic refining capacity.

With a focus on this topic, it is essential to examine the safety considerations for oil workers in Angola. The country's health and safety legislation is influenced by its Portuguese colonial legacy and international standards set by organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO). Angola's Constitution guarantees workers the right to safe and hygienic working conditions, and it has a primary framework, the Safety and Health at Work System, that addresses occupational hazards.

The General Labour Law reaffirms the employer's obligation to ensure worker safety and outlines reporting, compensation, and investigation procedures for workplace injuries and illnesses. The Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) is responsible for overseeing health and safety, and labor inspectors are empowered to conduct inspections, issue citations, and order corrective actions.

While this provides a regulatory framework for worker safety, the effectiveness of enforcement and the challenge of ensuring standards in Angola's informal economy are important considerations.

Angola's health and safety regulations for oil workers

Key Legislation

• Decree No. 31/94 of August 5th (Safety and Health at Work System): This foundational decree outlines employer responsibilities, worker rights, and mandates the formation of health and safety committees in larger workplaces.
• General Labor Law (Law No. 7/15 of June 15th): This law contains provisions relevant to health and safety, reaffirms the employer's obligation to ensure worker safety, and addresses reporting, compensation, and investigation procedures for workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Sector-Specific Regulations: Specific sectors, such as construction, mining, and oil and gas, are governed by additional regulations. For instance, oil and gas regulations cover offshore safety and drilling operations.

Regulatory Bodies

The Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) is the primary body responsible for overseeing health and safety in Angola. Within MAPTSS, the General Labour Inspectorate (IGT) is in charge of workplace inspections across most sectors.

Enforcement and Compliance

Labour Inspectors are authorised to conduct workplace inspections, issue citations, and order corrective actions. However, limited resources may hinder the enforcement of existing regulations, especially in Angola's substantial informal economy.

Health and Safety Measures

Angola's health and safety regulations emphasise the importance of identifying and assessing workplace risks to develop effective prevention strategies. Common hazards include noise, vibration, extreme temperatures, hazardous substances, and ergonomic risks.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Regulations may mandate the provision and use of PPE, depending on the hazards present. Employers should prioritise eliminating hazards through engineering solutions, and when hazards cannot be fully eliminated, job rotation, work-rest schedules, and safety procedures can help reduce risks.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

Employers are legally required to report workplace accidents and occupational diseases to relevant authorities, such as the IGT. Thorough investigations are crucial for preventing future incidents and typically involve examining underlying causes and implementing corrective actions.

Rights and Responsibilities

Angolan law places the primary responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthy workplace on employers, encompassing hazard identification, providing resources, and training. Workers have the right to information about hazards, participation in safety matters, and the right to refuse unsafe work without repercussions.

Workplace Inspections

Workplace inspections are a critical mechanism for verifying compliance with safety regulations, identifying potential hazards, and raising awareness about safety standards among employers and workers.

Sanctions and Penalties

The regulatory body can issue orders demanding employers address identified violations within a specified timeframe. Significant or repeated violations may result in fines or other penalties. In grave cases of imminent danger, inspectors may have the authority to order a temporary or partial workplace closure.

Oil worker rights in Angola

Angola is the second-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and a member of OPEC. The oil sector is the country's main industry, accounting for about 75% of exports and 45% of GDP.

The country's constitution states that natural resources in Angolan territory are the property of the state. To operate in Angola, oil workers must hold a prospecting licence or an oil concession and always operate in association with the National Concessionaire. The National Concessionaire is the holder of the concession rights and has the authority to conduct, execute, and ensure oil operations in Angola. Upstream operations can only be exercised under a license awarded by the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG).

The Ministry of Petroleum is responsible for regulating and supervising oil activities and operations within Angola. The National Concessionaire is awarded petroleum concessions through a concession decree published in the Official Gazette. The selection of associates of the National Concessionaire is executed through public tender, and final results are approved by the government.

The Petroleum Activities Law sets out general guidelines for safety and hygiene in the workplace and environmental protection. Oil field operators are subject to strict rules regarding health and safety measures to ensure the quality of life of their employees.

The employment rules in Angola follow the principle of Angolanisation, whereby Angolan citizens should be preferentially hired over foreign citizens. As a general rule, oil companies must complete their staff plans with national workers. Recruitment of foreign workers is only possible if the company can show that there is insufficient specialised Angolan manpower available in the country.

The government has also approved anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws to assure legal certainty for foreign investors.

Oil worker safety committees in Angola

Angola's oil sector is the country's main industry, accounting for about 75% of its revenues. Oil workers in Angola are protected by the country's health and safety legislation, which is influenced by its Portuguese colonial legacy and international standards set by organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Angolan Constitution guarantees workers the right to safe and hygienic working conditions.

Role of Safety and Health Committees

Decree No. 31/94 of August 5th outlines employer responsibilities, worker rights, and mandates the formation of safety and health committees in workplaces with a certain number of employees. The committees have a role in consultation and monitoring safety performance. They are also involved in the inspection process, which helps to ensure compliance with safety regulations and identify potential hazards and risks.

In Angola, oil and gas is a sector that is subject to specific regulations in addition to the general health and safety laws. The Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) is the primary body responsible for overseeing health and safety in the country, and it has the authority to conduct workplace inspections, issue citations, and order corrective actions.

The General Labour Inspectorate (IGT), within the MAPTSS, is responsible for workplace inspections across most sectors, including oil and gas. The IGT plays a crucial role in investigating workplace accidents and occupational diseases, as well as enforcing safety and health regulations.

While I could not find specific details about the composition and functioning of oil worker safety committees in Angola, it is clear that they play an important role in ensuring the safety and well-being of oil workers in the country, in collaboration with the relevant government bodies.

Oil worker training in Angola

Angola is a leading producer of oil and gas in Africa, with the petroleum industry accounting for 75% of the country's revenue. However, the country faces challenges such as high production costs and a lack of infrastructure, which have led to a decline in investment and production. To address these issues, the Angolan government has implemented reforms and is prioritizing refinery development to increase production and reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum.

Angola offers various training opportunities for those seeking to work in the oil and gas industry. The country has recognized the need for skilled workers to support its growing oil and gas sector and has taken steps to provide the necessary training.

One example of this is the 30-week joint program between Chevron and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Canada. This program prepares students from Angola to work in the oil and gas industry, specifically for Chevron back in Africa. The courses include technical training in operations and maintenance, technical English, and safety training. The goal is to provide students with the best training possible, and it has led to SAIT gaining a reputation as a go-to institution for oil and gas training.

In addition to international training opportunities, there are also local training programs and job openings in Angola for oil and gas workers. Various companies, such as Oil and Gas Job Search Ltd, advertise job openings for positions like field engineers, site supervisors, and technicians. These positions often require specific training and certifications, which can be obtained through specialized programs or on-the-job training.

Furthermore, Angola has implemented policies to ensure the development of local talent. For example, Presidential Decree No. 271/20 imposes the introduction of a local content clause in all contracts between private companies and the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG). This decree includes the mandatory inclusion of an annual human resources development plan, a detailed training program, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to the local workforce. Failure to comply with this obligation results in fines, emphasizing the importance Angola places on training its local population for the oil and gas industry.

Overall, Angola offers a range of training opportunities for oil workers, from international programs to local initiatives. The country recognizes the value of a skilled workforce in supporting its oil and gas sector and is taking active measures to promote training and development.

Oil worker compensation in Angola

Angola is the second-largest oil-producing country in sub-Saharan Africa and a member of OPEC. The oil industry in Angola is dominated by the upstream sector, with almost 75% of oil production coming from offshore fields. The country's oil sector faces challenges such as high production costs, restrictions on foreign exchange, and bureaucratic processes, which have led to a decline in investment and the downsizing of some companies. However, the Angolan government has implemented reforms and plans to boost investment and production.

When it comes to compensation for oil workers in Angola, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, salaries in the oil and gas sector in Angola tend to be higher compared to other sectors like education or agriculture. Secondly, experience, specialized skills, and advanced degrees can command higher salaries for oil workers. Thirdly, location plays a role, with Luanda, the capital city, generally offering higher salaries than rural areas. Additionally, multinational corporations or established Angolan businesses may provide more competitive salaries and benefits packages.

To maintain competitiveness, employers in Angola should regularly benchmark salaries against industry standards and adjust compensation packages to keep up with inflation. The minimum wage in Angola varies across sectors and is determined by presidential decrees, with the latest decree setting the minimum wage in the agriculture and most other sectors at AOA 32,181.15 per month, transport, services, and manufacturing at AOA 40,006.44 per month, and the extractive industry and trade at AOA 48,271.73 per month.

Oil workers in Angola are also entitled to mandatory bonuses, including a 13th-month salary (vacation bonus) and a 14th-month salary (Christmas bonus), each equivalent to 50% of the employee's base salary. Companies may also offer various allowances, such as meal, transportation, housing, and family allowances, to cover employee expenses. Performance-based bonuses are not mandatory but are sometimes offered by companies to incentivize employees.

The average salary for individuals in oil and gas exploration in Angola is $99,592, while the average salary for those in support activities for oil and gas operations is $105,849.

Frequently asked questions