PENGASSAN accuses Petrobras of engaging in anti-labour practices

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has sent a warning signal to investors against purchasing of any assets from an oil firm, Petrobras Nigeria Limited, over alleged anti-labour practices.

PENGASSAN alleged that the company has been involved in anti-union practices such as severance of workers without due process, refusal to settle severed workers’ benefits and abuse of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The oil workers also alleged that Petrobras Management had shown lack of respect and regard for the Association as a viable stakeholder in the industry.The General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, in a statement warned that anyone who transacts business with Petrobras Nigeria Limited to the extent of acquiring assets of the company or part thereof should note that he or she will also acquire Petrobras liabilities as well including the aforementioned issues with PENGASSAN.

The union alleged that the position of the Petrobras Management was a calculated attempt to undermine PENGASSAN, and to continue the discrimination against Nigerians despite all the tremendous gains made in their investments

The stamen read in part: “The general public is hereby notified of the following practices by Petrobras Nigeria Limited in relation to PENGASSAN: Lack of respect and regard of the Association as a viable stakeholder in the Industry; unceremonious severance of our members in 2013 and 2015 respectively, following the unannounced divestment of 2013, without due settlement of their benefits; continued unilateral interpretation, and abuse of the extant Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in relation to our members severance benefits.

“The refusal by the Management to honour several letters by the Association for engagement on issues that would affect our members following the proposed/concluded divestment of 2018 is against the extant labour laws in this country.”

In the meantime, Victor Ibeawuchi has emerged the branch chairman of the Total Exploration and Production branch of PENGASSAN for a-three year tenure from 2018 to 2021.
Ibeawuchi emerged the chairman after defeating Cephas Ucho in a keenly contested election during the branch 5th triennial delegates conference in Abuja.

The delegates also elected into the Branch Executive Council (BEC) include, Charles Daramola as branch Vice Chairman, while Nyema Ndu-Iheme and Cornelius Akpan were elected branch Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively

Other officers elected include Festus Solomon as Treasurer, Abubakar Ibrahim as Financial Secretary, Cyril Akpan as Industrial Relation Officer, Eseosa Abbe as Public Relation Officer, Chinyelu Onuotu as Women-in-PENGASSAN (WIP) and Chucks Okonta as Auditor.