Chevron embroiled in labour crisis, sack of 600 workers threatens its shut down

By Boye Ajayi

Chevron Nigeria Ltd is embroiled in serious labour crisis following the sack of 600 Nigerian employees as the two unions in the organization have directed their members to begin an indefinite strike.

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and the Petroelum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) directed workers to withdraw their services immediately, according to a joint statement issued on Sunday.

The statement signed by NUPENG’s President, Mr Williams Akporeha and the PENGASSAN President, Mr Festus Osifo, was made available to Persecondnews.

“We have directed our members in Chevron to withdraw their services. We also call on the Federal Government to call Chevron Management to order, otherwise we can no longer guarantee industrial peace in the oil and gas sector.

“Nigeria is our fatherland and we have labour laws that regulate the activities of organizations in Nigeria; this law cannot be breached; We must follow the process,’’ the statement said.

The unions alleged that Chevron management had on Independence Day (Oct. 1), notified about 2,000 of its employees that their services were no longer required.

Chevron had asked employees, who were still interested in working with them to apply afresh.

Persecondnews recalls that the management of the oil company had been threatening to downsize its workforce by 25 per cent, citing the effect of COVID-19 on its finances.