The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned the alleged sacking of 175 of contract staff by Chevron Nigeria Limited through its three service contractors because they declared as members of the union.
The condemnation was contained in a statement signed by the union’s President, Williams Akporeha and the General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi.
The service contractors listed by NUPENG are YKISH lntegrated Services for the offsite/onsite maintenance services with Chevron Nigeria Limited, Delog Nigeria Ltd and EUROFLOW Services.
NUPENG described the sacking which was allegedly done through WhatApp messages into workers respective mobile telephone as as appalling, callous and heart-rendering.
It stated, “NUPENG is seriously disturbed and pained about the flagrant disrespect for the extant labour laws and abdication of all forms of sensitivities by Chevron Nigeria Ltd and its contractors to the extent that 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.
The psychologically and emotionally trauma experienced by the sacked workers due to the callous and wicked manners Chevron Nigeria Limited through its contractors is horrendous and deeply tortuous as the method made them feel less-human and utterly depressed.
“We wish to emphasize here, 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 various contractors, as there are still several other lingering infractions and issues against hapless workers yet to be addressed by Chevron Nigeria Limited and its Contractor even after several regulatory institutions like Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Petroleum Resources and NAPIMS had severally ruled on these matters.”
NUPENG had listed other allegations against the oil company to include continuing discrimination against contract workers as evident by the refusal Chevron management to pay quarantine allowances to contract workers as it was done for all permanent workers.
It argued that whereas they were all contributing to the production and profits of the organisation and suffered same inconveniences during the period of quarantine.
It added, “In the light of the above therefore, we are calling on the general public, the media and all concerned authorities in country and the industry including Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari.
“National Assembly, law enforcement agents and the Embassy of the United States of America to call Chevron and its service contractor(s) to order on these matters to avert avoidable industrial action from the union.
“The sacked contract workers must be recalled back to work immediately, status quo maintained, while Chevron Nigeria Limited and its contractors properly engage the leadership of the union on all these matters raised for firm and final resolutions.
