Ghana’s upstream regulator, the Petroleum Commission has set out new employment guidelines for the oil and gas industry.

The guidelines which are expected to be enforced from June this year are aimed at increasing transparency in the recruitment process for companies operating in the country’s oil and gas sector.
They highlight the succession planning methodology, recruitment processes, training, skills transfer and capacity building.

Additionally, the guidelines touch on circumstances where expatriates can be brought into the country and how they will share their expertise with their Ghanaian counterparts.

Addressing stakeholders at the 2018 Localization Workshop in Accra, Acting Chief Executive of the Commission, Egbert Faibile, said with the coming into force of these guidelines, companies must ensure that their localization initiatives and work permit applications are in accordance with these guidelines.

“The Commission, on its part, will ensure that our permits applications are submitted by companies in accordance with these guidelines are processed on time the commission will operate an open door policy to address the needs and concerns of the industry,” he added.

Mr Egbert Faibile was worried that despite the existence of L.I 2204 which clearly spells out the Minimum Local Content levels from the date a petroleum agreement becomes effective regarding recruitment and training, none of the companies have met these levels of localization.

“Nevertheless, we must start from a certain point and that point is today,” he stated.
He urged the oil and gas companies to embrace the new approach being introduced by the commission, noting that it is a win-win for all stakeholders.

MrFaibile, however, objected to claims that the move could be a disincentive for potential foreign companies who might want to invest in the sector.

More Guidelines to be issued whilst the Commission acknowledges the fact that expatriates employment is a global phenomenon, he said, there is imperative justification to align benefits or remuneration to Ghana’s laws.
“We deprecate the situation where a Ghanaian doing the same job role as an expat does in some , if not all companies in the upstream sector is paid lesser than an expatriate in Ghana.

Article 24(1) of the 1992 constitution provides ” Every person has the right to work under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions and shall receive equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind,” he explained.
To address this, MrFaibile said, the Commission will soon develop guidelines on salaries and remuneration and guidelines on positions reserved for Ghanaians in the upstream oil and gas industry.

He assured the Commission will continue to ensure that qualified and competent Ghanaians are given preference in hiring for roles in the upstream petroleum sector.

“I want to assure you that the commission will continue to work with institutions, major operators and contractors to develop strategies to maximize local content in all aspects of the upstream petroleum value chain” he concluded.
Source: MyNewsGH.com