The Oil Rig

¶ … Oil Rig

There are numerous examples of rights violations on the Explorer IV oil rig. The absolute authority of the single American Expatriate is the greatest indicator of inequality on the rig. Further manifestations of inequality include the living conditions on the rig. The Angolan workers for example are far more than the Expats, yet they are expected to live and work in quarters of the same size. Inequalities also exist in the quality of life on the rig. Angolans have no privacy whatsoever in their sleeping quarters, while the Expats are semi-private. Luxuries such as galley, game room and movie room are also reserved for the Expats. The quality of food is also vastly different for the two levels, with Expats receiving a far better quality of food than the Angolans. This is related to the galley budgets, which are similar for both sections, despite the fact that the Angolans are more than the Expats. There is thus a violation of the rights of Angolans in terms of equality: they do not have the same rights and privileges as the Expats, and are forced to gather what they can from the discards of the Expats.

Injustice occurs in terms of visiting Angolan government officials who appear disinterested with regard to the disparities on the rig. These officials take their dinners with the Expats, remain for only a short time, turn a blind eye and return to shore via helicopter. There is no attempt at fairness or justice for the Angolan workers even from their own government.