The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to shut down oil installations nationwide over alleged anti-labour practices by an oil and gas firm, Brittania-U.
PENGASSAN, issued the threat, when it picketed Brittania-U at its corporate head office in Lagos, with members carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, said that if by Friday the firm refused to meet its demands, it would mobilise all companies and affiliates in the sector to shut down all oil and gas installations across the country.
Acting Chairman of PENGASSAN, Lagos Zone, Eyam Abeng, alleged that the Brittania-U, an indigenous company, has exhibited the most notorious anti-labour practice in the oil and gas industry, with an unsafe workplace. He alleged that the firm frustrates and terminates the employment of Nigerian workers who aspire to unionise and identify with labour unions.
The expiration of the ultimatum coincided with when the nation is battling with fuel scarcity. Each day, we wait for years, families, who are dependent on the workers are suffering, they are being exposed to a safety hazard. If we say we should hold action due to the scarcity of fuel in the country, do you know how many families are being affected? This should move beyond what we see. How do we have a petroleum product abundant in this country, yet we suffer so much for it? It is an aberration.”