14 January 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has cautioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, against alleged plan by it to engage casual workers.
The President, NUPENG, Igwe Achese, who disclosed this, said the policy of the NNPC to engage casual workers was against extant labour laws of the country and should not be considered.
Achese also counselled the corporation against sacking its workers, describing the NNPC workers as the best.
According to him, they were dedicated to their jobs even when they had to work with obsolete equipment in an indecent environment.
There were reports recently that the NNPC plans to lay off 1,100 of its work force as part of planned reforms at the corporation.
Achese declared that NUPENG would resist the proposed retrenchment and embark on a joint protest with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, if the two oil unions in the sector were not consulted.
He said the union would not watch its members, who have served the corporation for years, thrown into unemployment arising from inconsistent policies of the government.
He advised the government to convene a major stakeholders’ meeting to examine the challenges facing the sector, especially the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and proffer solutions.
