A call has gone out to the government to rescue oil workers in Nigeria as most multinational companies are sacking its staff over the prevailing harsh economic situation.
A 21-day ultimatum has been issued by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers on Wednesday to the Federal Government, urging it to stop the ongoing mass sacking and retrenchment of workers by some international oil companies operating in the country.
The ultimatum was issued on Wednesday by the National President of NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, at the end of a meeting of the Central Working Committee of the union held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to Achese, many oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean and Ground Petroleum, among others, were leaving the country following the prevailing economic recession, which has led to the sacking of about 3,000 oil workers.
He regretted Federal Government's reluctance to stop the ongoing massive retrenchment in the sector, as many oil workers have been sacked by their employers leaving them to suffer.
“It is painful to say as I address you, Chevron has wound up in the East and their offices closed. A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything. As we speak, many companies have left and many others are winding up to go.
“Many oil companies are winding up, including ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean, Sapiem Ground Petroleum, and Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited. About 3,000 workers have already been sacked by the various oil companies.
“The Federal Government should act fast to avert further loss of jobs. There is too much redundancy in the oil industry, which needs urgent action from government to salvage the situation,” Achese said.
Source: Tori.ng