The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has addressed more than 300 staff petitions and increased workers’ salaries by 30 per cent, as management moves to resolve long-standing employee concerns and improve the refinery’s operations.
Managing Director of TOR, Edmond Kombat, said the interventions were part of efforts by the current management to improve workers’ welfare after a decade without salary adjustments.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 26, Mr Kombat explained that management negotiated with the relevant unions before implementing the salary increase.
He said the decision was necessary to address concerns over remuneration and improve conditions for employees of the state-owned refinery.
“We also addressed more than 300 staff petitions. It increased our wage bill by 10 percent but we were able to shoulder it. This year, we also increased staff salaries by 30 percent. The fact that for the last 10 years, there had not been staff salary increments. We had to negotiate with the unions and make sure that staff salaries went up by 30 percent,” he said.
According to Mr Kombat, resolving the petitions increased the refinery’s wage bill by 10 per cent, but management was able to absorb the additional cost.
The salary adjustment marks the first increase in workers’ salaries in 10 years, reflecting management’s efforts to address accumulated staff grievances and strengthen employee welfare.
Beyond the internal reforms, Mr Kombat said TOR had also made progress in resolving challenges associated with crude oil supply, which had previously affected the refinery’s operations.
He disclosed that the refinery had received five million barrels of crude oil, with additional supplies scheduled to arrive monthly over the next six months.
“TOR has also maintained a steady supply of crude oil for the refinery’s operations. There is no longer a lack of crude, as a result, the plant is working. We have a consistent supply. We have received 5 million barrels and we have barrels lined up every month for the next 6 months,” he said.
The Managing Director said the availability of crude oil had addressed previous supply constraints and enabled the plant to operate with a more consistent supply of feedstock.
The developments represent two key areas of focus for the refinery’s management: improving staff welfare and ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials to sustain operations.
