Angola’s Inspector General of Labor, Manuel Bole, has expressed serious concern over safety conditions in the country’s oil sector following a deadly accident earlier this year that claimed three lives and left several workers severely injured.
The incident occurred in May on the deepwater oil platform Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco, operated by Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (Cabgoc), a Chevron subsidiary, in Block 14 off the coast of Cabinda.
A fire broke out on the platform’s subsurface deck, initially injuring 17 people—four of them critically—and ultimately resulting in the deaths of three.
Speaking during the release of first-half labor statistics by the Ministry of Public Administration, Labor and Social Security (MAPTSS), Bole noted that the oil sector is under “close monitoring.”
He announced that a new phase of the national Decent Work operation would soon be launched, with a renewed focus on oil industry practices.
Bole acknowledged the challenges inspectors faced in the immediate aftermath of the accident, particularly limited access to the site.
“It was very difficult for us at the General Inspectorate of Labor to obtain data in the early stages,” he said.
“Fortunately, with the support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, we established a reporting mechanism and began receiving daily updates.”
All injured workers were transferred to South Africa for medical treatment. Tragically, despite efforts to save them, some did not survive.
Bole stated that while the companies involved had the necessary safety infrastructure, there was a clear lapse in oversight.
“The accident occurred in an area thought to be deactivated. Teams assumed there was no hazardous material present, which proved to be a deadly mistake.”
He emphasized that both local authorities and the companies involved are taking steps to improve safety standards and prevent future incidents.
On the same occasion, André Capita, Secretary-General of the Cabinda Oil and Related Industry Workers Union (STIPAC), voiced strong criticism, stating that accidents in the oil sector are alarmingly frequent.
“The reports we receive from the General Labor Inspectorate—though we question whether they are complete—show consistently high levels of workplace accidents in the oil industry, many of which are fatal,” Capita said.
According to Inspectorate data from the first half of 2025, over 3,850 workplace inspections were conducted, uncovering more than 16,000 violations and mediating 3,824 labor disputes. The industrial sector was identified as having the highest number of workplace accidents.
Pedro Filipe, Secretary of State for Labor and Social Security, confirmed that the second phase of the Decent Work campaign will begin later this month.
While the first phase showed some encouraging progress, he acknowledged that the findings also highlighted major gaps in labor market regulation.
“The results make it clear—we still face significant challenges in ensuring proper regulation and enforcement in the labor sector,” Filipe said.
As Angola seeks to maintain its position as a major oil producer, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved safety protocols, regulatory oversight, and accountability in one of the country’s most vital industries.
