Workers of OML 42 JV (NEPL & NECONDE), NPA Express Road, Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday, protested against the delay in payment of their salaries.
The activities of the premises, were disrupted as workers shut the company’s gate, carrying placards with the inscriptions: “stop constant salaries delay, “clear salaries arrears”, “review salaries”, know that workers are suffering and smiling”, “introduce IOC standards”, “follow oil and gas standard”, among others.
According to the protesting workers, some of them have not been paid for the past two months, some four, while others six months, stressing that they could not survive with the present economy.
They however called on the Management to address them on the way forward or else, they will drop their tools at the site and disrupt production process.
Meanwhile, Chairman OML 42 workforce, Hon. Faith Mamamu said: “For a very long time now, we’ve been on this system, we discussed with the Management over the issue but to no avail. Based on this, we decided to embark on this peaceful protest because the oil and gas OML 42 is not treating workers well. How would someone work for an oil and gas company with no salary?”
Speaking also, Secretary, OML 42 workforce, Comrade Uche Akuba said, “It’s a shame that workers in oil and gas setting like this are suffering to this extent. We did not just wake up and gather for a protest today. This issue has been lingering, it’s been on ground long before now.
“In the past two years, Management invited us when we complained about back-log of salaries, we asked the Management to clear the backlogs within six months. And it’s over two years plus today, not even a dime has been cleared. With this harsh economy, how can we cope when some of us have not been paid two, to four months? We’re really suffering and smiling. We’ve been patient with the Management but, none of the issues raised as regards salaries has been resolved.
“We’re ready to effect positive challenges in the system to see that our salaries are paid on time because, as it stands, even those that sell crayfish in the conventional market are better than us. We can’t keep on working and we are not paid salaries, this must come to an end,” he concluded.
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