Junior employees of contract companies to Chevron defy court order, continue strike

Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL on behalf of the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture have confirmed that at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday September 16, some employees of companies contracted by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL operator of the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, blocked access to CNL offices in Lekki, Warri and Port Harcourt.

This marked an escalation of a protest by these workers over grievances with their employers. The workers have since August 7, 2015 been carrying out the protest under the auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG.

The action of these workers negates Nigerian labour laws and is contrary to the advice of the Federal Ministry of Labour and the order of the National Industrial Court, NIC for them to suspend the strike. In accordance with the statutory dispute resolution process, the matter was referred by the Federal Ministry of Labour to the National Industrial Court, NIC since conciliation at the Federal Ministry of Labour did not resolve the issue.  

The National Industrial Court, NIC by an order dated September 8, 2015, granted an interim injunction restraining NUPENG from striking, picketing, demonstrating or in any way disrupting the industrial harmony in the offices and facilities of CNL pending the determination of the matter.

CNL continues to honour the invitations of constituted authorities aimed at resolving the issues, while encouraging NUPENG and the third party employees to embrace dialogue with their employers and obey the law. We also encourage all groups with any perceived grievance to follow due process and the rule of law.

CNL reiterates its commitment to international best practices in labour relations and wishes to state that the safety and security of its workforce, employees and contractors alike, remains its highest priority.

Deji Haastrup

General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs

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