Yemisi Izuora
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has condemned interruption of its activities by some employees of companies contracted by it.
The company said the workers wednesday blocked access to its offices in Lekki, Warri and Port Harcourt.
A statement by Deji Haastrup
General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL and obtained by Oriental News Nigeria said, “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 the workers, the statement said, negates Nigerian labour laws and 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” the statement said.
The CNL promised to always honour the invitations of constituted authorities aimed at resolving the issues and urged 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” Haastrup said.