Anti-labour policy: PENGASSAN issues 7-day ultimatum to FG

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Federal Government which will culminate in the shutting down all oil and gas installations, including disruptions to fuel supply and distribution, across the country effective Monday December 18, 2017 as a result of alleged unfair labour practices and seemly untamable posture of some indigenous oil and gas companies and marginal field operators by relevant agencies of government.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the Association recalled in her communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of October 13, 2017 held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

It said one of the resolutions thereof was the condemnation of indigenous oil and gas companies and marginal field operators, concerning their anti labour posture and practices including the termination of the employment of any workers who has indicated willingness to belong to the union.

“Those who are threatened and compelled to disown the union are then treated as slave workers within their own country. The case of Neconde Energy Ltd (of Nestoil Group of companies) is particularly worrisome as the issue of dignity in labour and infringement on workers’ rights to freedom of Association is foreign to them leading to mass sack of workers that joined the Union and dehumanization of same in total disregard to rule of engagement and the laws of the land.

“The actions of companies such as Neconde in mass sack of Nigerian workers contribute in no small measure to the unending militancy in the Niger Delta. This company has not only conducted itself as being above the provisions of extant laws and regulations guiding the operations of oil and gas companies in Nigeria, but has also severally boasted that no government agency can call it to order.

“It was therefore no surprise that Neconde has defied multiple interventions from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the top Management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) for the company to toe the path of law and order and comply with Nigerian labour laws,” it stated.

Having explored all options without getting the necessary understanding, and an apparent failure of relevant authorities of Government to call to order these recalcitrant organizations especially Neconde, PENGASSAN gives the Federal Government and its relevant Agencies seven (7) days’ notice to embark on nationwide strike effective December 18, 2017 if she fails to direct the Management of  Neconde and other companies to recall our sacked members  as the only option to address this injustice and lawlessness.

PENGASSAN appealed to all Nigerians to show understanding and to use this window to stockpile adequate quantity of premium motor spirit (PMS) and other petroleum products that will last them during the upcoming festive period as this strike will be indefinite.