Marine police in the Western region have been appealing to local oil workers to leave the offshore vessel, FPSO as agitation between them and their managers continue.

Over 40 Ghanaian staff of MODEC Ghana Limited, who work on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah yesterday embarked on a sit-down strike, to press home their demands for better conditions of service.

There are fears ongoing industrial action by workers on the oil rig could result in huge operational cost and revenue losses if the concerns of the workers are not addressed immediately.

One of the aggrieved workers told Joy News: “We have seven policemen sleeping here onboard. They came unprepared but they are forced to sleep onboard too, to guide harmless Ghanaian workers fighting for our right…

 “We have decided not to move an inch from the facility because we are not a threat to the facility, we are not holding arms, we are not causing destruction over here.”

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Commission is meeting with leadership of the workers and management of MODEC.

On the sideline of the meeting another unhappy worker accused one of their managers, Bruce Tait, of being “troublesome” and a hindrance to their demands. He accused the same man of badmouthing them at the least opportunity.

Even though they are “not comfortable” with his utterances, he claimed they never had the opportunity to put their case across to him.

Insisting that until their demands for better working conditions are met they will not resume work, he said the workers have resolved to have management pay them off rather than work under the present deplorable conditions.

Pay disparity is one of the contentious issues, and this worker tells Joy News’ Hannah Odame that whilst they are paid about 2,000 to 3,000 cedis, an expatriate with the same qualification takes home about 5000 dollars.