Activities at the headquarters of Sterling Oil Exploration on Victoria Island, Lagos, were brought to a standstill on Tuesday as members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) protested against alleged anti-labour practices by the company.
The leadership of PENGASSAN, alongside affected workers, gathered at the company’s entrance as early as 6 a.m., chanting solidarity songs and demanding justice. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Reinstate Sacked Nigerian Workers,” “Stop Collective Bargaining Agreement Victimisation,” and “Stop CBA Violation.”
Union Alleges Expatriate Quota Abuse
Speaking to journalists at the protest, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, accused Sterling Oil of violating labour laws, particularly through the abuse of the expatriate quota system. He alleged that the company systematically sidelined skilled Nigerian workers in favor of Indian nationals, thereby creating a discriminatory work environment.
“Our members in Sterling have been pushed to the background. They should tell us how many Nigerians today are managers or general managers in Sterling,” Osifo said.
He further claimed that the company employs over 10,000 expatriates, all of whom are of Indian origin, in positions that qualified Nigerians could easily occupy.
“In Sterling Global, we have expatriates working as gate men, vulcanizers, tea makers, and even cooks preparing meals for Nigerians in Nigeria,” he alleged.
Threat of Nationwide Strike
Osifo warned that the picketing was just the first phase of the union’s actions, adding that if an agreement was not reached, PENGASSAN would escalate its response, potentially leading to a nationwide strike.
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“If this issue is not addressed, we may have no choice but to call out our members across the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. If that happens, the entire industry will be grounded,” he said.
Company’s Response
In response to the protest, Sterling Oil issued a communique stating that all employees had been instructed to work from home until the matter was resolved. The company assured that efforts were being made to address the grievances raised by the union.
The standoff between PENGASSAN and Sterling Oil highlights ongoing tensions over labour practices in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with stakeholders now awaiting government intervention to resolve the dispute.
