A nationwide strike is looming as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed full support for the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), following reports that military personnel were used to forcibly remove workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig. The NLC has issued a stern warning that it will escalate its response if such actions, including breaches of agreements and the deployment of military and other security agencies to interfere in industrial relations, continue.
This ongoing industrial dispute between NUPENG and the owners of the Oritsetimeyin oil rig is centered around alleged breaches of agreements made between the two parties. Earlier in the week, NUPENG filed a petition with the Federal Government and heads of the nation’s security agencies, expressing concerns about the use of military personnel and other security forces to eject its members and workers who had been demanding the implementation of these agreements.
On Thursday morning, a special naval personnel team was allegedly flown to the Oritsetimeyin oil rig to carry out the eviction of the workers. In response, NUPENG threatened to declare a nationwide strike unless the government intervenes by calling both the oil rig's management and the involved security personnel to order. An official from NUPENG, speaking to Vanguard, stated, “We are already sensitizing and mobilizing our members for a nationwide strike. The authorities cannot be aiding employers to breach agreements freely entered into with Labour. We cannot accept this. The earlier the management is called to order, the better. If not, we will be forced to declare a national strike to safeguard the interests of our members.”
In light of these developments, the NLC, in a statement issued by its president Joe Ajaero, reaffirmed its support for NUPENG. The statement condemned the deployment of military and security operatives to forcefully evacuate NUPENG members from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig, describing the actions as a direct violation of the principles of democracy and industrial relations. The NLC emphasized the importance of respecting workers' rights and the sanctity of negotiated agreements, adding that the use of military forces in such industrial matters was both unwarranted and harmful to the workplace environment.
“The use of the army in Oritsetimeyin oil rig is an abuse of the instruments of state security as it runs counter to the dictates of unfettered workplaces free from all forms of coercion. It should be noted that we cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces. It is counterproductive and very capable of contaminating the nation’s workplaces, which may lead to further crippling and undermining an already troubled economy,” said Ajaero.
[/p]According to NUPENG, the workers were subjected to unlawful eviction due to their rightful demand for the implementation of agreements that had been reached and signed with their employers. These agreements, which included provisions for severance benefits for workers, were established following multiple mediatory meetings convened by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). It is reported that the Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors have ignored these legally binding agreements and resorted to intimidation and coercion through the use of armed forces.
The NLC has called on the Nigerian Military, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Director-General of the DSS, and the Federal Government to urgently intervene and prevent further harassment and displacement of NUPENG members. The NLC stressed that this is strictly an industrial relations issue and does not warrant the involvement of military personnel, who should focus on safeguarding the nation, not enforcing corporate agendas.
“The realization of the sensitive nature of the world of work made it imperative for our nation to create special processes for handling workplace-related matters, which are encoded in our various statutes. The tenets of these industrial relations extant statutes must be allowed full expression by all parties to avoid creating a situation of anomie that will further harm our nation’s economy,” the NLC stated.
In conclusion, the NLC reiterated its unwavering support for NUPENG and stated that it would not hesitate to escalate its response if these unacceptable actions continue. The protection of workers' rights and their safety remains their utmost priority, and they call on the nation’s leadership to take swift action to prevent the situation from worsening.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress acknowledges the dedication and sacrifices of the Nigerian military and security agencies in safeguarding our nation. However, we remind them that their mandate is the defense of our country’s sovereignty and people, not the suppression of workers’ legitimate demands,” the NLC concluded.