The Lagos headquarters of U.S. oil major, ExxonMobil was on Thursday shut down, following a standoff with blue-collar oil unions over the sacking of over 100 ExxonMobil workers.
Members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, stormed the office of the oil giant, protesting the sacking of Nigerian workers.
The development follows a similar scenario on Wednesday in Upkenekang community in Akwa Ibom, where angry youths disrupting the operations of the company over the sacking of contract workers from the area.Chairman of ExxonMobil Branch of PENGASAN, Paul Eboigbe, who confirmed the closure of the company’s Lagos office said management of the company issued sack letters to worker, while negotiations were still ongoing.
According to him, the union had to resist the action of the management and went ahead to shut down the company’s headquarters.
Eboigbe directed the company workers at offshore locations to shut down rigs.
Also the South-West Branch Chairman of PENGASSAN, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, revealed that picketing of ExxonMobil office was also being carried out by members of the union.
Korodo said the move was as a result of the anti-labour practices of the American company.
Korodo disclosed that if the Federal government fails to resolve the situation before the end of the year, the national body of the union will direct its members to embark on strike after the New Year holidays.
He said, “This is just the beginning of our strike against injustice against our members working with IOCs.
“Our members now wear red clothes and put leaves on their trucks to show the injustice by these people.
“We have resolved to commence strike next year if government does not find a solution to the exploitation by IOCs.”
The Manager, Media and Communications of ExxonMobil, Mr. Oge Udeagha, said the company was always evaluating its operations.
He said, “We invest for the long-term and focus on maintaining a stable, well-developed workforce and are committed to treating our employees with respect in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
“This is a limited programme that will impact a relatively small fraction of employees,’’ he said of the disengaged workers.
“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.”
