Job Losses, Rights Suppression Threaten Oil Workers — NUPENG

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has sounded a grave alarm over the deteriorating conditions faced by workers in the nation's critical oil and gas industry. In his valedictory address, outgoing NUPENG President Williams Akporeha detailed a grim reality of job losses and the systematic erosion of workers' rights, painting a stark picture of the challenges confronting the sector.

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We cannot ignore its reverberating impacts. Many of our members, especially in the informal sector, have lost livelihoods.

Akporeha specifically pointed to the removal of the fuel subsidy as a significant blow, particularly to members in the informal sector who have lost their livelihoods. While acknowledging the necessity of reforms, such as transitioning to gas as a cleaner fuel, he stressed that these changes must be implemented equitably. NUPENG's call for a 'just transition' emphasizes the need for government support in reskilling and retraining affected workers, ensuring that economic progress does not come at the expense of the workforce.

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This transition must be just and fair. We appeal to the government to reskill, retrain and fund our members for a just transition.

The union also voiced strong concerns about the increasing exclusion of labor unions from policy decisions that directly impact workers' welfare. This lack of consultation, Akporeha warned, could exacerbate tensions within the industry. Furthermore, NUPENG alleged a rise in unfair labor practices, including attempts to undermine union membership, which they deem a violation of both national and international labor standards. The union remains resolute in its commitment to defending workers' rights to representation and collective bargaining.

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Sadly, the union was not adequately carried along in planning.

Beyond labor rights, NUPENG highlighted a growing climate of insecurity, marked by a sharp increase in petroleum truck hijacking and kidnapping incidents. Compounding these safety concerns are the abysmal conditions of many economic roads, which hinder the distribution of petroleum products across the country. Despite these formidable challenges, Akporeha took a moment to acknowledge the union's achievements during his tenure, including improved welfare packages and infrastructure development, before issuing a powerful call for justice and the protection of the working class. From Nigeria's perspective, these issues are not merely industrial disputes but fundamental concerns about economic stability, national security, and the dignity of labor in a vital sector.

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Drivers were recruited under restrictive conditions, forced to sign undertakings against union membership. This is a direct violation of the Constitution, the Labour Act, and international labour standards.