The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned what it termed “the recurring anti-labour posture” of Chevron Nigeria Limited and its service contractors.
The union, in a statement on Friday accused Chevron of sacking 175 contract workers in YKISH lntegrated Services, Delog Nigeria Ltd, EUROFLOW Services, and others because they joined the union.
In a statement signed by the President of the union, Williams Akporeha and Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, NUPENG said the union was disturbed and pained about the flagrant disrespect for labour laws.
The statement said: “The employment of these workers were terminated via WhatApp messages into workers respective mobile telephone. lt was such an appalling, callous and very heart rendering approach to industrial relations practice at this age and time.
“We wish to emphasize that this lack of respect and sensitivity to Nigerian extant labour law, international conventions and global best practices is gradually becoming the stock in trade for Chevron Nigeria Limited and its contractors.
“There are several other lingering issues against hapless workers yet to be addressed by Chevron and its contractors even after several regulatory institutions like Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Petroleum Resources and NAPIMS severally ruled on the matters.”
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Some of the contentious pending issues according to NUPENG are; “illegal deduction of workers’ benefits since 2012 and flagrant refusal to refund the terminated workers”;
Discrimination against contract workers “as evident by the refusal of Chevron Management to pay quarantine allowances to contract workers as it was done for all permanent workers”;
Alleged incitement of host communities against NUPENG members in locations of operations;
Alleged connivance with Pyrammidt Nigeria Limited to deny recognition to workers right to belong to an industrial union; and refusal to pay for the 2O18 annual vacation.
NUPENG requested that the sacked workers be recalled immediately, status quo maintained, while Chevron and its contractors properly engage NUPENG on all contentious matters.
The statement noted further: “in the interest of peace and harmony, our demands must be met within seven days, otherwise we may be forced to call out all our members on a nationwide industrial action.”
