PENGASSAN shuts Exxonmobil indefinitely over workers’ sack

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has pocketed Head Office of Exxonmobil in Nigeria over alleged indiscriminate sacking of workers.

 

The Exxonmobil branch of PENGASSAN accused the management of the oil giant of anti-labour activities.

 

In a chat with Tribune Online on Thursday, the Exxonmobil branch chairman, Comrade Paul Eboigbe, stated that the management postponed ongoing negotiation and decided to unilaterally sack over 150 workers.

 

According to him, “last year, 146 Nigerian workers were sacked in December. In November this year, they informed us of their intention to sack over 150 Nigerian workers as a measure to reduce cost.

 

“We didn’t agree at the negotiation table, how many expatriates would also be sacked?”

 

He said the management postponed the meeting indefinitely because they refused to sack any of the expatriates.

 

“To our surprise, they started giving sack letters to oil members while negotiation was still ongoing. Most of the affected Nigerians are senior management staff with more years ahead of them in service, but they can afford to retain an expatriate whose package can pay his 10 Nigerian counterparts.

 

“We have some of these expatriates who have spent over 20 years in service rather than spend four to five years and reach other Nigerians about the knowledge of the job. That’s why we are picking the company indefinitely,” he said.

 

When asked if truly the management is reaching out to them on the way forward, he said “they requested that we should suspend the strike and return to negotiating table, but we told them to withdraw the sack letter first and commence negotiation afterwards.

 

“Until they do that, we won’t suspend the strike action,” he said.

 

In his reaction, Mr Oge Udeagha, Manager, Media and Communications, ExxonMobil said that the company regularly evaluates its operations as part of a disciplined management process and continually strives to operate its business in as safe and efficient a manner as possible.

“We invest for the long term and are focused on maintaining a stable, well-developed workforce and are committed to treating our employees with respect and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

“This is a limited programme that will impact a relatively small fraction of employees. Special benefits specifically introduced for this purpose will be paid to affected employees consistent with existing labour agreements.

“The company is also arranging special programme to support the transition from the company for those affected. We respect the rights of our workforce and will continue to engage with them to resolve this situation,” he said.