Bol Mel-linked ARC faces lawsuit over months of unpaid salaries

JUBA — Engineers working for the Africa Resources Corporation (ARC), a prominent construction and engineering firm linked to former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, have announced plans to take their employer to court over months of unpaid salaries and benefits, following what they describe as repeated broken promises by the company management.

The decision comes after the expiry of a three-day ultimatum issued by the ARC Engineers’ Committee, which demanded clear timelines and a credible payment plan to settle outstanding arrears. According to the engineers, the management failed to meet these demands, leaving legal action as the only remaining option.

“We were again given vague assurances, with no clear timeline and no credible payment plan,” said Jacob Reang Mayak, the chairperson of the ARC Engineers’ Committee. “Our members have reached a breaking point.”

The dispute formally began on 17 December 2025, when the committee submitted a written complaint to ARC management seeking clarity on delayed salaries and other employment benefits. The letter, the engineers said, was meant to open constructive dialogue and avoid escalation.

A meeting was held the following day between the engineers’ representatives and a management team delegated by the company’s managing director. However, the engineers say the meeting failed to yield any concrete commitments or timelines for payment.

By 20 December, the ultimatum expired without any meaningful response from the company, prompting the engineers to announce their intention to pursue legal redress.

“ARC management failed to meet our request and failed to demonstrate good faith,” the committee said in a statement. “We are therefore left with no option but to pursue this matter through the courts.”

Legal proceedings are expected to commence on Monday, 22 December, according to the committee.

A company under scrutiny

ARC Resources Corporation is a well-known player in South Sudan’s construction and engineering sector, with projects spanning infrastructure, civil works, and other major developments. However, its close association with Bol Mel — a businessman and senior political figure — has previously placed the company under heightened public and political scrutiny.

The engineers emphasized that their decision to go to court is not politically motivated but driven by economic hardship and the need to protect workers’ rights.

“We respectfully call upon the government of South Sudan to cooperate with and support this lawful process,” the committee said, framing the case as a test of labour protections and the rule of law in the country.

The engineers also appealed to their colleagues and family members to remain calm and united as the legal process unfolds.

“Many of our colleagues and their families have endured prolonged economic hardship as a result of these delays,” Eng. Mayak said. “We ask them to remain patient as we pursue this matter through lawful means.”

In a final warning to ARC management, the engineers urged the company to resolve the salary arrears immediately to avoid what they described as serious legal and reputational consequences.

“We urge the managing director to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” the statement added.

As of the time of publication, ARC Resources Corporation had not issued any public response to the engineers’ announcement or the impending legal action.