PENGASSAN Stages Demonstration Against Sterling Oil’s Unfair Labour Practices
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has staged a major picketing action against Sterling Oil Exploration & Production Ltd, accusing the company of violating Nigeria’s labour laws and undermining local participation in the oil and gas sector.
For two consecutive days, PENGASSAN members have paralyzed Sterling’s operations, protesting what they describe as exploitative labour practices and discriminatory treatment of Nigerian workers. The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “Sandeep Singh Must Go,” “Stop Victimizing Nigerians,” and “Sterling Treats Nigerians Like Second-Class Citizens.”
Labour Law Violations and Unfair Treatment
Speaking at the rally, PENGASSAN’s National Industrial Relations Officer, Eze Ifeanyi, condemned Sterling’s alleged practice of hiring and firing Nigerian workers in short cycles to evade gratuities and pension obligations. He claimed the company systematically prevents employees from joining unions.
“The association is not against investors, but if you must invest in Nigeria, you must obey our labour laws and treat our people fairly,” Ifeanyi stated.
He further revealed that Nigerian workers at Sterling face systematic exploitation, with employment contracts deliberately structured to deny them long-term benefits.
Calls for Justice and Fair Employment Practices
PENGASSAN’s National President, Comrade Festus Osifo, led the protests with chants of solidarity, emphasizing that the union would not back down until its demands are met.
He accused Sterling of attempting to negotiate in secrecy, stating: “They told us they are in Eko Hotel and want a closed-door meeting, but we refused. Any meeting must involve regulators and industry stakeholders, not secret negotiations.”
Osifo also decried what he called “workplace apartheid,” alleging that Sterling maintains separate canteens for Indian expatriates and Nigerian workers, with the latter receiving inferior treatment.
Demands for Government Intervention
PENGASSAN has called on the Nigerian government and regulatory agencies, particularly the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to take decisive action. The union is demanding:
- Full unionization rights for Sterling employees
- Immediate review of the company’s employment structure to reduce expatriate dominance
- Equal treatment and welfare for Nigerian workers
- Reinstatement of 18 PENGASSAN members allegedly fired in 2018
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Osifo warned that failure to address these issues could escalate into a nationwide industrial action. “If necessary reforms are not implemented, we will not relent. The government must recognize this struggle as a fight for Nigerian jobs and economic justice,” he declared.
With PENGASSAN showing no signs of backing down, all eyes are now on Sterling Oil and the Nigerian government to see how this labour dispute unfolds.
