The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),on Tuesday picketed Sterling Oil exploration on Victoria Island, Lagos following alleged various anti-labour activities perpetrated by the company.
The leadership of the union including workers of the oil company gathered at the entrance of the company’s office as early as 6a.m. chanting labour solidarity songs, saying that Sterling oil management engages in anti-labour practices.
Members of the union displayed placards with inscriptions, “Reinstate Sacked Nigerian workers; “Stop Collective. X Bargaining Agreement Victimisation” , stop CBA violation , among others .
The President of the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Festus Osifo,faulted the management of Sterling oil of abusing the expatriate quota system, which has led to discrimination against skilled Nigerian workers in the oil and gas sector.
Osifo highlighted what he termed as discriminatory practices by the company, who, according to him, are monopolising jobs that Nigerians are qualified to perform with the Indian nationals
He alleged that members of the union working in Sterling had been subjugated and described their welfare as abysmal.
He said: “Our members in Sterling have been pushed to the background; they should tell us how many Nigerians are working in Sterling today that are managers.
“They should tell us how many Nigerians today are working in Sterling that are general managers.
“However, when you go to other international oil and gas companies, you have Nigerians even as managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive general managers, general managers and so on”.
He also, alleged that the company had over 10,000 expatriates, who were all natives of India, working in Nigeria.
All the operators in the company, without exception, are all expatriates,he said.
“In Sterling Global, we have expatriates as gate men, vulcanizers; we have expatriates making tea; we have expatriates that are Nigerian cooks, cooking for Nigerians to eat in Nigeria,” he added.
Osifo said that the picket was the first in the series of activities that would be happening and if plans to arrive at an agreement failed, it would continue until there was a resolve.
He implored the government to urgently intervene in the matter.
“If this is not corrected, this has a propensity of leading to a national strike, where we will call out our members across the nook and cranny of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
“Also, remember, the oppressions of the entire oil and gas industry in Nigeria is manned by our members and we will call them out, the entire oppressions will be grounded.
“So, government must act, and the time to act is now, “ Osifo said.
Other accusations include sacking of some the union’s members and therefore, called for their reinstatement.
But,the company in a signed statement said all workers have been directed to start work at home pending the time the issue will be resolved.
