Strike: FG, Oil Workers Meet

February 2nd, 2009
Following threats of industrial action by Nigerian oil workers, The Federal Government is said to be meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) today so as to avert the planned nationwide strike by the workers.
Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN disclosed that the Federal Government will be holding a National Stakeholder's Forum in the Sector to address urgent and pressing labour issues inimical to Decent Work and Best Practices in the field of Labour Administration.
The meeting which will be holding at the instance of the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, is a follow up to the parley held between the Labour minister; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), and the two unions last week to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the oil industry.
The meeting, is also said to involved the Management of BELBOP/ConOil and CONOCO Phillips, whose NUPENG and PENGASSAN have been accused of sharp practices and anti-labour practices.
Prince Kayode told journalists in Abuja at the weekend that he had scheduled an immediate meeting with NUPENG and PENGASSAN and the management of BELBOP/ConOil and CONOCOPhillips, after he listen to them last week.
"In addressing the current looming industrial actions in the sector I have further scheduled an immediate meeting with the Unions, NUPENG/PENGASSAN, and the Management of BELBOP/ConOil and CONOCO Phillips.