The leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened industrial action against Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) over alleged anti labour activities and poor working conditions of the staff
President General of the Union, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi who said this in Lagos, alleged that the company has not been adhering to the country’s labour laws as rewards workers welfare and entitlement.
He also accused the company of failing to honour a federal government agency’s invitation for a tripartite meeting to discuss issues about the organisation’s handling of workers issues
The labour leader said the company has been given 21 days by the Union after which industrial action would be applied across all its operational areas in Nigeria.
Comrade Bunu Abi alleged that the company unilaterally went to pay a paltry sum of money to the family of an employee who died in active service without recourse to the laid down rules and vowed to seek redress of the issue.
According to him, the company is working against the good intentions of President Bola Tinubu by not providing a dignified work environment and adequate compensation for a deceased employee.
He added that the Union would not allow such employers to violate Nigerian laws unchallenged stating that he will oversee the application of all lawful means to achieve compliance.
The PG said “The company in focus is Sterling Global. Since we came into office, we have hit the ground running. We have given a 21 day ultimatum to Sterling Global. If they don’t do the needful, the union will picket them because it has to do with welfare and respect for the dignity of the workers.
“We are also talking about non compliance with the Nigerian law on their part. Federal government, through National Assembly, have been able to make sure that laws should be in this country for the common man to be able to have respect for their rights especially as workers.
“But this company will just come from no where and disobey the Nigerian laws. They cannot do such in their country. So it is based on that premise that we gave Sterling Global a 21 days ultimatum. All of that is based on workers because they are not respecting the federal government’s law.
“The workers who are working for them need better salaries. Workers who are working for them need a better operating environment. They need to make sure that the workers have a sense of belonging. We don’t have any other country than Nigeria . We must protect the interest of Nigerians who are working.
“Mr. President, Bola Tinubu is doing his best at a national level, every other person should do their best at every level they find themselves to make Nigeria better. What the company is doing is undermining the efforts of Mr President and the union
“So, these companies cannot come to this country knowing that they are making so much money from this country and not want to give back or care for the Nigerians they employed.
“Imagine when somebody dies, this company will just go to the family and give them five million naira or one million naira as if they are paying for fish? Is the person a cow, goat or chicken? This is Human life. The law says they should call for the union and the federal government , sit down on a tripartite meeting and negotiate the compensation.
“The laws are there. What insurance does their vessel carry? Is it not P & I? Why are they not paying it in line with the laws? It cannot happen in this government. As far as we are concerned, we are Nigerians and we know the law and we will not allow that again” he said
