BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

THE Third Quadrennial Delegates Conference, QDC, of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, in the ancient city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will for sometime to come be an issue for discussion. With the theme Reforms in the Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst for National Growth and Development, (What prospect for the attainment of Decent Work Agenda?), besides attracting local and international guests, stakeholders in the nation’s petroleum industry, used the occasion to emphasize the need for decent jobs in the sector.

Addressing guests and delegates, President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, said delegates would carefully look at the employment situation in the country and working conditions of oil and gas workers in particular.

According to him, “beyond the union’s immediate concerns and worries over the continued deterioration of the employment situation and working conditions in Nigeria due to the increasing precariousness of jobs, we are equally worried and concerned because even the Oil and Gas Industry that everyone ordinarily expects to deliver quality and decent jobs in large numbers is increasingly deteriorating in all ramifications. The number of Nigerians working in the industry with decent income is very negligible and our numerous struggles have invariably made us public enemy number one.

“It is however, very important to remind us all, that our patriotic history speaks volume for us, we have never been shy of waging patriotic struggle and we boldly say here, with all sense of responsibility and patriotism that the struggle against indecent work (casualisation) will be waged relentlessly till when victory is ascertained.”

Collaboration between labour, OPS

Also speaking, the Chairman of the conference and President of Dangote group of companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, spoke of the need for greater collaboration between labour unions that champion the interest of workers on the one hand and the Organised Private Sector, OPS, on the other.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Engineer Joseph Makoju, Dangote said at the completion of proposed  Dangote Refinery, it would “meet 100 percent of local demand for refined fuel products, while Polypropylene, which is used in the manufacture of agro-sacks, poly bags and other industrial products, will catalyze the birth of new and allied industries. We are estimating that the project will engage up to 25,000 people over a four-year construction period and will create about 3,500 permanent jobs when completed”.

“As more state-owned enterprises are being privatized to ensure they are managed efficiently, there is need for greater collaboration between labour unions like yours that champion the interest of workers on the one hand and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on the other. The synergy arising from this collaboration is necessary to ensure that both the privatized industries and those established by individuals, function at optimal levels. Labour leaders and employees should therefore form part of the collective bargaining process needed to protect the interest of employees and employers. At the end of the day the welfare of your members will depend on the well-being of the business. In this regard both the private sector and labour should strive to always work together for their mutual benefits.”

Provision of income to meet socio-economic needs

Delivering the keynote address, Group Managing Director, GMD, of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engineer Andrew Yakubu, said the International Labour Organisation, ILO, framework had four strategic objectives with regards to decent work Agenda with gender equality as a crosscutting objective.

Represented by Group Executive Director, GED, Corporate Services, Ahmed Sambo, he said “The Petroleum Industry Bill and other Transformation agenda of the Federal Government are principally geared towards fulfilling the objectives of ILO which includes job creation, respect for the right of workers, social protection like provision of Pension and health and safety issues. These have been given prominence in the Bill. Promoting social dialogue is also part of the agenda with preposition for the unions to have representation in some Boards and a 24 months window period for resolving all labor issues.”

“This is a strong guarantee that the labour unions will continue to remain a strong arm of the tripartite needed to sustain industrial peace and harmony and in turn improve productivity. The primary aim of a decent work agenda is to provide income to enable people cater for their socio-economic needs and ensure people are treated decently. Ensuring that these very important building blocks of a society are present, will empower workers, raise families and build a stronger community.”

He added that “in line with ILO decent work agenda, PIB is poised to give priorities to socio-economic agenda that will ensure the Oil and Gas industry is moved to a world class level, foster sustainable development and create opportunities for new small to medium size entrepreneurs which in turn will result into additional jobs for skilled and un-skilled Nigerians.”

Speaking, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, urged NUPENG to drive the reforms process in the Petroleum industry for  the benefit of all, especially ordinary Nigerians and workers.

According to him, “The average oil worker is at risk from hostile environment to threat of kidnapping and assassination. Like every worker, workers in the oil and gas industry have the right to peace and security at work.