The Nigerian government has appealed to major oil marketers operating in the country not to sack workers in the oil and gas sector.
Minister of Labor and Employment Chris Ngige, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting he held with the leadership of oil unions and the international oil companies.
He said the meeting was fallout of Monday's meeting held to address the concern raised by the Petroleum and Natural Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on the declaration of redundancy by the major oil marketers.
PENGASSAN had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike beginning from July 7 over some issues, including the alleged mass lay off of its members by various oil and gas companies.
The minister urged international oil companies not to declare redundancy as the last resort if there was economic downturn in the country, saying that it should be declared in the proper manner.
He urged the companies to adhere to the rules and regulations when dealing with the issue of redundancy if such issue was already in the purview of the ministry.
Ngige said labor laws were meant to protect the employees and iron out issues affecting both parties before things are damaged.
The minister said other issues being discussed at the meeting include unjust labor practices by the oil companies, cases of rustication of job due to union activities, among others. Enditem
