The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NUPENG

  • NUPENG threatens strike over IOCs’ anti-labour practices

    NUPENG threatens strike over IOCs’ anti-labour practices

    • Kicks against NNPC assets sale

    THE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action over the alleged anti-labour practices of International Oil Companies (IOCs).

    Its President, Comrade Igwe Achese, said the spate of redundancy in the industry was worrisome, as workers were being booted out daily.

    He pointed out that the actions of the IOCs were contrary to the government’s zero/tolerance for job losses, condemnable and unacceptable to the union.

    He threatened strike if the government failed to call the multinational oil firms which have engaged in anti-labour and union activities to order.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to intervene in the unresolved labour issues with the following companies so that we do not witness a nationwide industrial action by next week when our 21-day ultimatum expires,” he said.

    He condemned the anti-union posture of the IOCs, noting that the constitution stipulates freedom of association and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 and 98, which Nigeria is a signatory.

    He said the anti-union posture of the IOCs was brewing tension in the industry.

    He advised the Federal Government to prevail on the multinationals and service companies to stop the spate of retrenchment.

    Achese said the union would not support the sale of NNPC’s assets without proper consultation with labour unions in the sector.

    According to him, there is no way the unions would  allow these assets to be sold without their input.

    Achese said: “We are opposed to the sale of the nation’s assets, especially the refineries. We believe that the proposed sale is unnecessary and not in our national interest, as they will be sold to their cronies as scraps. The union will resist any attempt to sell these national assets and advise that government should look at other areas to revamp the economy.’’

    “NUPENG says no to sale of NNPC assets, we are against any sale of the nation’s assets because there is no justification for it.

    “They are planning to sell them to their cronies like they did in power sector. We cannot continue to watch until they sell the whole nation. Labour unions cannot wake up and discover that assets are being put up for sale without consulting. The state of our roads is still nothing to write home about as they are all dilapidated. We condemn the slow pace of work by the contractors recently mobilised to site.”

  • NUPENG’s threat

    NUPENG’s threat

    •The union and government must resolve their dispute without recourse to strike 

    RISING from the meeting of its Central Working Committee on October 26, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) served a 21-day ultimatum on the Federal Government to either get the oil majors recall over 3,000 workers sacked in the ongoing industry-wide mass sack of workers or face a nationwide industrial action.

    The union cited the case of Texaco, said to have wound up its Eastern operations and hence laid off its 1,500 workers; ExxonMobil said to have asked its entire contract staff to go; Pan Ocean, Saipem, Grand Petroleum and Hercules Offshore, all of which have reportedly closed shop.

    While accusing the Federal Government of failing to meet its Joint Venture cash call and thus aggravating the crisis in the sector, the union equally lampooned what it called the Buhari administration’s lone-track corruption war which it further claims has left the problems of the larger economy unattended to.

    We agree with NUPENG that the situation in the oil industry is dire enough. While the global outlook for crude oil has remained grim in the environment of relatively low prices, part of its inescapable consequence is the cutback in new investments and the shrinking of on-going operations across the board. And, as if the situation is not bad enough for the country, the activities of militants currently threatening to bring the nation’s oil industry to its heels have since thrown the industry into serious spasm, leaving an industry that is at best a ghost of its erstwhile vibrant self.

    As against NUPENG’s needless sabre-rattling, what the situation calls for is sober introspection by all sides, with a view to finding a way out. While it is given that a sneeze by NUPENG would inescapably leave the entire economy catching cold, the danger in the frequent calls for strike is to present the union as not only insensitive but a needlessly obdurate body.  Far from helping their cause in the long run, it would most certainly alienate other Nigerians forced to endure each punishing cycle of strikes inflicted by them.

    Having said that, we do agree that the Federal Government has a big role to play in halting the trend. It must approach this with a sense of urgency and understanding that an additional job lost for whatever reasons would be one too many for a country already in recession. In the circumstance, the least it can do is to engage the oil companies to minimise the impact of the challenges facing the industry as touching the interests of the workers.

    Aside the need for the workers to be treated with utmost respect; they in fact need to be brought on board as important stakeholders in the efforts to ride the current storm.

    In other words, much as we appreciate the gravity of the problems which the oil companies are forced to contend with at this time, what we find not just deplorable but outrageous is the penchant by organisations to treat workers that should ordinarily be seen as the lifeblood of their organisation as expendables to be discarded at the onset of a temporary storm. Getting the oil companies to keep the workers until the storm rides over, in our view, should not be too much a sacrifice for them to make.

    Above all, the Federal Government needs to do more in terms of meeting its Joint Venture cash obligations to the operators. To the extent that government’s perennial cash constraints is also linked to the crisis, it has become imperative for the government to articulate a funding mechanism that would enable the operators to implement their work programmes without hindrance.

     

  • NUPENG urges speedy passage of PIB

    NUPENG urges speedy passage of PIB

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to attract foreign investors to the oil and gas industry.

    Its Chairman, Southwest, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

    According to him, the non-passage of PIB is a threat to investment in the oil and gas sector.

    Korodo said no investor would be willing to invest in a business they did not understand.

    “But, I believe with the passage of PIB, more investment opportunities will be available,’’ Korodo said.

    He said the non-passage of the bill, which had passed through the second reading, forced some International Oil Companies (IOCs) to leave the country and sold off their investments to indigenous oil companies.

    NAN reports that the Senate had on Oct. 5 resolved to prioritise and fast-track the passage of the PIB and other legislations capable of contributing to the quick recovery of the national economy.

    It said that the bill would provide favourable level playing environment for both local and foreign investors.

    This was part of the 20-point resolution passed by the Senate as its legislative intervention to speedily pull Nigeria out of the current economic recession, and put the economy on the path of sustainable growth.

    Korodo said contrary to speculations on the increase in the pump price of petrol, the Federal Government was already handling the issue of foreign exchange (forex) with the oil marketers.

  • Weak labour regulations worry NUPENG

    THE economic recession coupled with the policy of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country has led to the weakening of labour protection regulations in the country, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has said.

    Its President Comrade IgweAchese lamented in Lagos that precarious work climate existed in all sectors of the economy due to the near absence of regulatory institutions and agencies.

    He noted that issues of precarious work had been challenging to labour as it has led to increasing erosion of workers’rights and privileges such as freedom of association and collective bargaining.

    According to him, since the major motive of casual/temporary work is profit,it comes with the absence of decent work, job insecurity, poor health, absence of medical provisions, lack of training, long hours of work, lower wages and low quality jobs.

    Achese pointed out that workers were made to work under inhuman conditions resulting into poverty and increased inequality.

    He explained further that women are more deprived of basic workers’ rights with regard to working hours, maternity leave, safety at work and public holidays.

    “Indeed work becomes precarious when trade unions are not allowed to operate or flourish. Industrial relations are usually the first victim in the situation of precarious work. Workers are not allowed to have representation or interface with the principal and the contractor,” he said.

    Achese said NUPENG is concerned about the weak naira, rise in the prices of goods and essential services, unemployment and growing incidences of crime rate in the country.

    “The current sufferings of the masses, which the President recently acknowledged should be uppermost in the mind of the administration and should be tackled.

    “We call for the declaration of a state of emergency on the economy with a view to urgently address the issues,” he said.

  • NUPENG to resist fuel price hike

    National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) President  IgweAchese has said the union could not afford to embark on a strike now, because it would increase the suffering of Nigerians.

    He said this while addressing reporters at the end of NUPENG’s third Quarter Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Meeting in Asaba, the Delta Sate capital.

    He noted that this was a challenging time, adding that the union needed to consider it’s actions.

    He, however, warned that the union would not hesitate to resist policies that would frustrate the hopes of the masses.

    According to him, the union will resist any attempt by the government to increase the price of petroleum products.

    “It would not be right for the government to contemplate increase in price of petroleum products in an environment where nothing is working, cost of goods are high and the exchange rate fast tumbling.

    “I tell you, if NUPENG should go on any industrial action, we would be creating more hardships for Nigerians. I tell you, when the need arises that we must take some necessary actions in putting things in proper perspective, we would react,” he said.

    On concession of government companies and the refineries, the NUPENG chief said the country was not ripe for it and that the right policies and necessary measures had to be put in place first.

    Achese said the union would continue to encourage the government to create the enabling environment for Nigerians to invest in the refinery sector.

    He said across the world, the private sector invests in building of refineries, gas plants, and extraction plants, among others.

    The NUPENG chief said the government had to ensure that all its investments and agencies were functioning effectively, adding that it needed to make the refineries work and secure the pipelines. According to him,  no cabal, criminal or institution was greater than the government.

    “On issues of privatisation of our refineries, the answer is no, and I have no doubt in my mind and from the last meeting I had with Mr President, his position over the issue of refinery showed that he is determined to make our refineries work.

    “But should the government decide to sell the refineries, I will tell you obviously that we will resist it by the grace of God Almighty,” Igwe said.

    In a related event, the union has expressed worries over the drop in oil production occasioned by bombings of oil and power installations in the Niger Delta.

    Achese, in a statement in Lagos, said the challenges facing the oil production capacity could only be addressed by bringing back the private security agencies that were approved by the last administration which was profitable to the oil and gas industry and the nation in general.

    He argued that  when the services of these security agencies were employed by the former government, the nation’s pipelines were more secured and crude oil production was at its peak of 2.4 million barrels per day and there was respite.

    To him, it was unacceptable for the country’s crude oil production to plummet to only 900,000 barrels per day in view of the recession.

     

  • NUPENG wants oil workers protected

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to protect oil workers returning from the field from being kidnapped.

    Its President, Mr. Igwe Achese, who made the plea in Lagos, condemned the kidnapping of 14 oil workers of Nestoil, who were returning from Egbema-Ohaji field to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by yet-to-be identified kidnappers.

    He expressed shock at the act and called on security agencies to spread their dragnet to rescue the workers unhurt.

    “The kidnap is one too many, and all hands must be on deck to protect the lives of oil workers, especially those working in installations.

    “We are, therefore, worried about the attack which has made oil workers endangered species,” the NUPENG boss said.

    The recent kidnapping of the workers,  Achese  said, would further scare foreign investors who would want to bring in the needed foreign capital and expertise to expand on projects in the sector.

    He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the workers alive to rejoin their families, with no ransom paid.

    According to him, security operatives should also ensure that the culprits are arrested and punished to serve as a deterrent.

    He urged the government to address the economic downturn to ameliorate the current level of unemployment in the country, urging  those involved in the act to retrace their steps and find something meaningful to do.

    “It is the duty of the government to reflate the economy, repair dilapidated infrastructure, assist small-scale business enterprises and ensure that restive youths are engaged,” he said.

  • NUPENG seeks tax holiday for investors

    NUPENG seeks tax holiday for investors

    President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Igwe Achese, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider tax holidays and free land to genuine investors in the economy.

    He also advocated an efficient tax regime that would ensure that businesses, especially those owned by affluent Nigerians, were adequately taxed, as most of them explored the loopholes in the system to dodge payment of taxes.

    He said the government should use part of the recovered loot to pay verified contractors, especially those involved in road construction.

    Achese, who spoke in Lagos, said the measures were necessary to free the economy from its parlous state which the administration is still grappling with.

    In a related event, the Kaduna Zone of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is to address challenges facing the oil and gas sector.

    This will be address at a workshop with theme: Global trend & security challenges in oil & gas industry in Nigeria, critical challenges and prospects from stakeholders’ perspectives.

    In a statement by the Chairman of Kaduna Zone of PENGASSAN, Comrade Abubakar Yusuf, the union said despite major advancements in labour and management relations in Nigeria in the past decades, there still persists distrust and antagonism among parties involved in industrial relations.

  • NUPENG seeks govt policy on kerosene

    NUPENG seeks govt policy on kerosene

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to unveil its policy on kerosene.

    NUPENG Southwest Chairman,  Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, who made the appeal in an interview with the The Nation in Lagos, said the product has become unaffordable.

    He said while the government deregulated diesel and petrol, there was no clear policy on kerosene. This has led to the high cost of the product – a litre sells for as high as N240 at most filling stations.

    Korodo noted that many filling stations, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Stations in Lagos, did not have the product, forcing the masses to buy from independent marketers

    “Kerosene has not been deregulated, according to the Federal Government policy on the product.

    “Part of the excuse given to us is  the hostility in the Niger Delta, which reduces the quantity of the products given to refineries.”

    “The increase in the price of kerosene has also triggered up price of gas which is now between N4,000 and N4,300.

    “Kerosene is the only product that is accessible to rural and urban women and government needs to explain to us why the product is more expensive than diesel and petrol now.

    “For kerosene to be sold for more than N200 at pump price is uncalled for and the government should look inward and address it urgently,’’ he said.

    The Federal Government on January 19, increased the pump price of kerosene from N50 per litre to N83 per litre.

  • Agitation for fuel attendants’ welfare ongoing, says NUPENG

    Agitation for fuel attendants’ welfare ongoing, says NUPENG

    The agitation for improved welfare package for over 300,000 petrol attendants in the country is ongoing, the Chairman, Southwest branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr. Tokunboh Korodo, has  said.

    He said the body is not resting on its oars in ensuring that fuel attendants get improved welfare package and live a good life, saying N18, 000 is being considered as the minimum salary for petrol attendants nationwide. He said the workers will be better for it if everything goes according to plans.

    He said inability of stakeholders to reach a compromise has slowed down discussions on the issue,  adding that efforts to get the dealers to understand the predicament of petrol attendants and further increase their salaries have proved difficult, but it is accomplishable.

    Korodo said: “Discussions are ongoing on the issue of increasing the emoluments of petrol attendants and others working at fuel retail outlets across the country. Several meetings have been held on the issue because we believe that the workers’ welfare must be improved.”

    The National Chairman, Petrol Tanker Drivers arm of NUPENG, Mr. Akanni Oladiti said efforts are being made to reposition the downstream sector of the oil and gas for growth. He said petrol tanker drivers are being trained to be more professional in their conduct, stressing that the training would be nationwide.

  • NUPENG to govt: punish employers for ‘unjust sacking’

    NUPENG to govt: punish employers for ‘unjust sacking’

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to punish employers in the oil, aviation and electricity sectors who sack indiscriminately.

    Speaking with The Nation, NUPENG President Comrade Igwe Achese urged the National Assembly to halt the retrenchments in these sectors in order not to worsen unemployment.

    He hailed the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, for threatening to withdraw the licences of banks for sacking some workers.

    He said banks were unfair to their workers who toil daily to make their businesses viable, adding that workers were always at the receiving end, even when the banks declare huge profits and dividends.

    Relatedly, President-General, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Comrade Chris Okonkwo, has said over 2000 disengaged workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were yet to receive their severance pay three years after the Federal Government’s privatisation of the power assets.

    Okonkwo, who made this known at a briefing in Lagos, bemoaned the development, saying it does not show determination on the part of the government to settle the outstanding payment of the ex-workers.

    He urged the Federal Government to ensure that all outstanding and related payments on severance of PHCN workers were settled.

    “Government is also advised to urgently conclude severance payments and others involving past and present workers in the sector to close that chapter.

    “The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Minister of Labour and Employment and Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), should take specific note to avoid another threat to industrial peace in the sector in connection with this matter,” he said.

    He also advised the Federal Government to take urgent steps to bring investors and workers to sign up to rules of engagement based on law to mitigate imminent collapse of industrial peace in the power sector. The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) had backed banks on workers’retrenchment, accusing the government of meddling in the matter.

    It disagreed with  Dr. Ngige on his directive to banks and financial institutions to suspend the exercise.

    NECA Director-General Olusegun Oshinowo said labour laws did not empower the minister to issue such a directive, which he described as “uninformed and populist”.

    He added that the laws had envisaged redundancy, which was why provisions were made in Section 20 of the Labour Act to guide the actions of parties in the event of retrenchment or redundancy,  Oshinowo said. the minister seemed not to have understood the fundamentals of industrial relations and labour laws in Nigeria and, thus, acted ultra vires.

    His words: “NECA affirms that no employer will take pleasure in declaring redundant employees which it has invested significant resources in developing over the years. Usually, redundancy exercise is foisted on employers on account of an unhealthy economy and the dynamics of the business, which often demands staff rationalisation.’’

    Oshinowo said it was part of the inalienable right of an employer to determine the optimal staff level it requires to sustain its operations, adding that employers have rights, which include the right to hire and fire within the rules governing such employment contract.

    “Employers’rights are employers’ prerogatives, which are not subject to ministerial directives.

    ”Where an employer has found it necessary to carry out retrenchment, it would respect the laws of the land and the laid down procedures for redundancy.