Oil workers begin nationwide strike today over refineries, others

Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are commencing a nationwide strike today to protest the failure of the government to carry out the turnaround maintenance (TAM) of the others and reduce pump price of petroleum products in line with the slump in global prices of crude oil.

Both unions say they also want government to evolve new strategies to combat pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft that have undermined the nation’s economy and employment capacity. They had last week given notice of their intention to proceed on strike.

Other reasons listed for the strike are the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), non-implementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to reflect Nigerians in management positions and expatriate quota law.

The unions also listed the appalling state of access roads to refineries and oil depots’ facilities, insecurity all over the country that has led to the death of their members, appointments in government agencies in disregard to succession planning, compulsory deduction from workers’ salaries for the National Housing Fund (NHF), casualisation and contract staffing and unfair labour practices by companies and government agencies.

The unfair labour practices listed by the oil workers are described as the transfer and termination of national officers of the two unions.

The statement by the unions said the strike would affect all operations in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry, as members will be withdrawn from all oil and gas installations.

The unions said that all members have been fully mobilised to embark on indefinite strike on Monday, adding that the strike will not be suspended until there is a strong commitment from the government and affected managements/operators to resolve the issues.

According to the unions, the government has refused to honour all engagements and agreements reached with them on all their issues of concern, including the TAM of the refineries and ensuring adequate supply of crude oil to the refineries to ensure that they function effectively and efficiently.