Workers in the oil and gas sector, under the umbrella of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have expressed apprehension over reports that oil companies may lay off their workers following the fall in revenue as a result of the slump in oil prices.
Recent reports suggest that Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell, have unveiled plans to sack 18,500 of thier employees globally, including those in their services in Nigeria in 2016. While Shell revealed its plans to sack 10,000 staff and slash direct contractor positions in the company’s unedited full year 2015 results, Chevron announced it would continue the process that began in 2015, and complete the sacking of 8,500 staff in its services globally by the end of 2016.
NUPENG in a statement by its president, Igwe Achese, described the planned sack as alarming, warning that it may be forced to embark on industrial action if the federal government fails to stop the companies from sending oil workers in Nigeria to the unemployment market. After a scheduled meeting between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and a majorirty of oil companies in Nigeria, the minister called on operators in the sector to shelve such plans so as to avoid throwing the nation into a huge social upheaval.
Speaking on behalf of the International Oil Compananies (IOCs) at the meeting, which included Agip, Mobil producing, Chevron Addax and Total, the Director of Human Resources and Medical, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Ihuoma Onyearughe, appealed for understanding and collaboration on the part of the government in view of the current challenges facing the industry.
“The issue of laying people off is not a decision that comes lightly. I will not come here to tell you that people are being laid off or not. The situation in the oil company is dire. We want to ask for more understanding in appreciation of the challenges we face.
