Lagos – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Friday urged the Federal Government to criminalise strike in the oil sector as its associated results had crippling effects to the economy and Nigerians at large.
This is contained in a statement by Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, MURIC, issued against the backdrop of the recent strike by NUPENG and PENGASSAN.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) staged an industrial action against the reorganisation in NNPC on Tuesday.
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The oil workers had alleged unfair labour practice and non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill ahead of the unbundling of the NNPC by the Federal Government.
According to officials of the two unions, the government have refused to implement agreements reached with the unions on the proposed unbundling of the NNPC.
Akintola said that oil workers were indispensable in the country and that their collective bargaining should also be respected, however, they should not abuse their rights.
“While we are not totally unmindful of the rights of oil workers to collective bargaining, we are of the opinion that this right must not be abused.
“We are deeply worried by the instability in the oil sector particularly strikes by oil workers which cause undue hardship among the citizenry and bring the nation’s economy to a grinding halt.
“The strike was called off within 24 hours after a meeting of the leaders of NUPENG and PENGASSAN with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of NNPC.
“It had however thrown the whole country into topsy-turvy and worsened its perennial fuel crisis.’’
MURIC said: “It is poor Nigerians who suffer when mischief and impunity become the norm in unionism particularly in a sector whose product is indispensable to the people’s welfare.
“The FG and National Assembly should work together to criminalise strike in the oil sector in view of the latter’s sensitive nature and its contribution to the economy.’’
While advising against spontaneity in industrial actions, MURIC appealed to unions to always explore dialogue as an effective way of settling disputes and grievances.
He also urged the leaders of both NUPENG and PENGASSAN to exhibit responsible leadership and temper patriotism with service delivery especially as because of the sensitive nature of their jobs. (NAN)