The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked the Federal Government to call Chevron Nigeria Limited to order and halt moves to lay off thousands of Nigerian employees.
In a statement issued by TUC on Sunday, it accused the management of Chevron and other multinationals of scheming to relocate jobs to their home countries.
The statement signed by TUC president, Quadri Olaleye and secretary-general, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said it had information that, “Chevron management, recently, notified about two thousand of its employees that their services are no longer required and that those still interested in working with them should apply afresh for a new job.”
‘”This development runs contrary to Nigeria’s laws regulating the oil and gas industry, and other industries in the country, as it does not protect our national interest. This is an imperialist agenda that must not be allowed to stay, most especially as we have just finished celebrating our 60th independence as a sovereign country,” the union said.
“Agreed, the coronavirus pandemic did hit the world real hard, but should that make organisations lose their humanity?
“Is this a way to compensate workers who have risked their lives, even during the lockdown to sustain production?”
TUC said it was imperative to remind the federal government that job creation is one of its mantras.
“The government made the creation of one million jobs per year a must do if voted into power. Furthermore, an approval was also given for the employment of one thousand employees in the NNPC by the government which to us is an effort geared towards fulfilling its promise on job creation. Why should this come up now?
“Mr President, we are Nigerians and it is expedient that we defend our interest. We should consider this move by Chevron management as an insult on our collective existence as a country. With our 60% stake in Chevron we should have a say. The Congress will not turn its back on the oil workers.”
The TUC is of the opinion that “sacking two thousand employees who are married men and women is the same as sacking ten thousand people,” as it put the dependants of the oil workers into consideration.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo