TAYO ELEGBEDE
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have ordered their members in Chevron to shut down operations of the oil firm over sack of 25 per cent of employees.
The directive was issued on Sunday via a joint statement signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo.
The labour unions accused Chevron management of embarking on anti-labour practices.
The statement by the two labour unions reads, “We have directed our members in Chevron to withdraw their services.
“We also call on the Federal Government to call Chevron Management to order, otherwise we can no longer guarantee industrial peace in the oil and gas sector.
“Here is our fatherland and we have a labour law that regulates the activities of organisations in Nigeria. This law cannot be breached; we must follow due process.”
NUPENG and PENGASSAN alleged that the Chevron management told about 2,000 of its employees on October 1 that their services were no longer required.
“The Chevron management asked those employees who were still interested in working with them to apply afresh.
“This development runs contrary to Nigeria’s laws regulating the Oil and Gas industry as it does not protect our national interest.
“This is an imperialist agenda that must not be allowed to stay; most especially as we have just finished celebrating our 60th independence as a sovereign country,” the labour unions said.
Earlier in a statement, Chevron’s General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, said the welfare and safety of its workforce was one of its highest priorities.
According to Brikinn, “Making changes to the organisation is never easy for anyone that will be impacted, but it is to improve our ability to remain competitive in Nigeria.
“Reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of our operations are critical to generating more revenues for the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
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