Kehinde Fajobi
A national strike may be imminent as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its full support behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over the alleged use of military personnel to forcefully eject workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig.
The NLC has warned that it will escalate its response if the government continues to allow breaches of agreements and military interference in industrial relations.
The dispute began earlier in the week when NUPENG petitioned the federal government and security agencies about the use of military personnel to remove workers and employers from the rig.
On Thursday morning, reports emerged that a special naval personnel team had been deployed to eject the workers.
In response, NUPENG threatened a nationwide strike unless the government calls the rig management and the security forces to order.
“We are already sensitising and mobilising our members for a nationwide strike. The authorities cannot be aiding employers to breach agreements freely entered into with Labour. We cannot accept this.
“The earlier the management is called to order, the better. If not, we will be forced to declare a national strike to safeguard the interests of our members,” a NUPENG official told Vanguard.
The NLC, in a statement signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, expressed solidarity with NUPENG, condemning the use of military and security forces to forcibly remove workers.
“This disturbing action, reportedly orchestrated by certain corporate interests, is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and industrial relations, which demand respect for workers’ rights and the sanctity of negotiated agreements,” Ajaero stated.
He continued, “The use of the army in Oritsetimeyin oil rig is an abuse of the instruments of state security as it runs counter to the dictates of unfettered workplaces free from all forms of coercion. It should be noted that we cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces.”
According to NUPENG, workers were unlawfully evicted after demanding the implementation of agreements made with their employers, including severance benefits.
These agreements were reached through mediation by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and witnessed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
NUPENG accused the companies involved—Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their contractors—of ignoring these agreements and opting for intimidation via the military.
The NLC called on the Nigerian Military, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Director-General of the DSS, and the federal government to intervene.
“This matter is strictly an industrial relations issue and does not warrant the involvement of military personnel, who should focus on protecting the nation rather than being employed as enforcers for corporate agendas,” the NLC statement read.
While acknowledging the vital role of the military in safeguarding the nation, the NLC reminded security agencies that their primary mandate is national defense, not the suppression of workers’ legitimate demands.
The NLC pledged unwavering support for NUPENG, vowing to escalate their response if the situation continues.