Basra Oil Company employees protest over unpaid wages
The protesters, who closed the building's doors during the demonstration, called for the enforcement of provisions outlined in the contract between BP and Basra Oil Company employees.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Dozens of employees of the Basra Oil Company staged a large-scale demonstration on Tuesday in front of the British Petroleum (BP) building in the Rumaila oil field, demanding payment of wages for the past four years.
The protesters, who closed the building's doors during the demonstration, called for the enforcement of provisions outlined in the contract between BP and Basra Oil Company employees. They alleged that the company had not paid wages for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, unlike other oil companies that have recently issued similar payments.
Iraq, which holds 145 billion barrels of proven oil reserves according to the World Bank, is one of the world’s top oil producers. As the second-largest producer in OPEC, following Saudi Arabia, the country currently has a production capacity of about five million barrels per day. The oil sector is a critical component of Iraq's economy, providing more than 90% of government revenues.
Despite the wealth generated by Iraq's vast oil reserves, disputes over profit-sharing and employment rights have been a recurring issue in the industry. The Basra Oil Company employees emphasized that their demands highlight the need for fair treatment and adherence to contractual obligations within the sector.