Oil workers may protest against alleged anti-labour practices by Chevron

THE national leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association (PENGASSAN), have vowed to embark on a nationwide industrial action if the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited refuses to rescind its anti-labour stance.

The unions, under the platform of NUPENGASSAN, argued that they are becom- ing extremely worried and concerned with the way and manner the multinational oil firm is executing the end of M-15 and H-15 contracts, which is ostensibly laced with hidden plans and intentions to unilaterally and heinously sack thousands of contract workers.

They said despite of the ongoing intervention of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as the established Labour Contract Staffing Guidelines in the oil and gas industry, Chevron still remained adamant and continued to engage in anti-labour practices that are injurious to Nigerian workers.

A statement signed by General Secretaries of both unions, Lumumba Okugbawa and Adamu Song stressed that the workers in the oil and gas industry see such arrangement as cruel, callous and by all standards an affront on the Nigerian constituted authority and industry extant rules.

The oil workers appealed to the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authority to intervene.

They urged that Chevron should toe the line of best endeavour, by exercising restraints and engage in peaceful transition into new contract circle by strictly following established guidelines which provide for ‘roll over’’ of workers.

Meanwhile, Chevron has said that it is already executing the contracts with the successful contractors, noting that expiring contracts are being replaced with new manpower services contracts.

A response by the firm’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, confirmed that the existing contracts of all its manpower services providers would expire by end of October.

However, he said the contracts have been awarded in accordance with the open tender process conducted by the Joint Venture in accordance with its standard procedures, the requirements of the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS).