The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the recent military deployment used to displace Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) members from their worksite at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig. In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Congress expressed strong solidarity with NUPENG, describing the incident as a troubling assault on workers’ rights and industrial democracy.
“This concerning action, reportedly driven by corporate interests, is a direct affront to democratic principles and the respect owed to negotiated labor agreements,” Ajaero stated. He emphasized that the use of military force on the rig compromises the integrity of Nigeria’s workplaces, saying, “We cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces. Such actions are counterproductive and threaten to destabilize an already fragile economy.”
The NLC highlighted that the affected workers were allegedly evicted after pressing for the fulfillment of agreements, including severance benefits, that had been established in negotiations facilitated by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and attended by the Department of State Services (DSS). Despite these binding agreements, companies involved, including Dutchford E&P and Selective Marine Services, reportedly chose coercion over compliance.
Calling for urgent action, the NLC appealed to the Nigerian Military, National Security Adviser (NSA), DSS, and the federal government to protect NUPENG workers and prevent further intimidation or displacement. “These agreements must be honored, and the dignity of Nigerian workers respected,” the statement concluded.
