Employees Union Joins Oil Workers in Court Challenge Against NSIF Circular

By Simon Deng

The National Employees Union of South Sudan has joined the South Sudan Oil Workers Union in a legal challenge against the Ministry of Labor. The dispute concerns a controversial circular that mandates employers and employees to register and remit social insurance contributions to the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF).

According to Chol Mading, Secretary for Communication and Public Relations of the National Employees Union of South

Sudan, the Employees Union has filed a rejoinder application with the Court of Appeal, specifically challenging Labour Ministry Circular No. 5 of 2026.

“The National Employees Union of South Sudan hereby announces the successful submission of its rejoinder application at the Court of Appeal, with the aim of joining the ongoing legal challenge to the Ministry of Labor, Circular number 5, 2026,” Mading stated during a press conference in Juba.

Mading further explained, “Despite repeated attempts for dialogue, no meaningful response came from the Ministry of Labor. The union has observed new operational instructions being issued by the NSIF, seeking to enforce the same circular already challenged in court.”

This rejoinder application follows an earlier case filed at the Court of Appeal by the joint oil workers’ union. That petition sought a determination on the legality of Ministry of Labor Circular No. 5, 2026, which calls for the implementation of the NSIF Act, 2023.

Last week, the oil workers’ unions of Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC), Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) initiated legal action against the Ministry of Labor after dialogue and administrative engagement failed to resolve their grievances.

Mading urged all South Sudanese workers in the private sector, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), international organizations, companies, diplomatic missions, and other private sector entities, to remain calm and refrain from any actions that might escalate tensions.

Mading revealed that the National Employees Union of South Sudan seeks an amicable and constructive resolution through sustained engagement with the Ministry of Labor. This engagement aims to address concerns raised by national and international organizations, diplomatic missions, and other private sector entities.

The petition before the Court of Appeal seeks to examine Labour Ministry’s Circular No. 5, 2026, in line with NSIF provisions, with particular attention to the rights and interests of organizations, aid agencies, diplomatic missions, and other private sector entities across South Sudan.