NUPENG, PEDAN collaborate to tackle sectoral challenges

• Commence negotiation with Nexem Petroleum on social dialogue

THE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), are collaborating to tackle challenges confronting members in the downstream sector.

Among the challenges is a plea for the International Oil Companies (IOCS), to look into their rebate, which they described as presently very low.

Leader of the PEDAN team, Hamlet Emman, solicited NUPENG’S assistance during a visit of the leadership of the Interim PEDAN to NUPENG Secretariat in Lagos.

Reiterating NUPENG’S support and assistance to the Association, President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, urged that they embrace workers’ right to unionisation at their various filling stations.

Meanwhile, NUPENG has commenced negotiation with Nexen Petroleum Ltd. in furtherance of its commitment to social dialogue.

General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, said the negotiation was to address all industrial relations issues.

He commended the willingness of the management of the oil firm to adopt global best practices in industrial relations by engaging the union in social dialogue over workers’ conditions of service.

According to him, the union believes that the dialogue will go a long way in enhancing industrial peace, harmony and high productivity in the workplace.

Also, the union has urged General Electric to remit to Arco Group, outstanding over deducted withholding tax to enable Arco pay the severance packages of all workers sacked since 2016.

The NUPENG called on all relevant authorities to prevail on General Electric to do the needful in order not to plunge the nation into avoidable industrial crisis during the yuletide.