Dismissed Chevron Workers Petition Nigerian Govt, Demand Justice

                                                                                                           1^st July, 2014

The Hon. Minister,

Federal Ministry for Labour and Productivity.

2^nd Floor (257-237),Block 4A,

New Secretariat Complex,

ShehuShagari Way,

Central Area,

Abuja.

Dear Sir,

RE: WRONGFUL/CONTINUOUS LAY OFF OF SEVEN (7) COMRADES OF THE FUNIWA OIL FIELDS (FUNIWA-7) BY CHEVRON NIG. LTD WITHOUT RECOURSE TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (C.B.A) AND THE RELEVANT LABOUR LEGISLATIONS, DESPITE YOUR CONCILIATORY INTERVENTION IN 2008: THE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENRY FROM OPPRESSIVE TENDENCIES.  

We refer to a communique dated 1^st August, 2008 issued at the conciliatory meeting between the Chevron Labour Contractors and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) with Chevron Nigeria Limited in attendance at your instance please.

We are the retained Solicitors for Agbaero Francis; Emukede Thompson; Kingsley Okoyo; Godday Iboi; Elvis Idahosa; Seye Gege; and Festus Ejeh (hereinafter refers to as Our Clients) and on whose behalf and upon discreet perusal of some correspondence exchanged overtime on the subject matter we write you this letter.

Our client informed us and we verily believe them as follows:

• That in 2007, there were communal upheavals which led to the evacuation of all personnel working in the FUNIWA Oil Fields, situate in Bayelsa State for safety and security purpose with assurances that at the end of the hostilities, the personnel including our clients will return back to work at the oil fields.
• That at the close of hostilities in the FUNIWA oil fields, and the subsequent return of the personnel working thereat, ten (10) Comrades inclusive of our clients were placed on standby and precluded from returning to the oil fields withoutcogent reasons nor recourse to collective bargaining agreement and relevant labour legislations which your ministry have over the years activated.
• That this development triggered the interest of the National Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) wherefore several meetings and correspondences were held and exchanged with Chevron Nigeria Limited. Chevron remained adamant and refused to either call back our clients to work or pay them all their entitlement till date. However, three (3) of the ten (10) comrades so laid off whose relatives are part of the high and mighty in politics and the society were selectively redeployedwith letters of apology while leaving back our clients who only have respect for Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) and the law as their support and consolation. We find this as discrimination and injustice in the highest order.
• That NUPENG’S determination to have Chevron do the needful caused a protest letter dated 25^th June, 2008, to be written to the Hon. Minister for Labour and Productivity who accordingly initiated a conciliatory meeting of Chevron Nigeria Limited and Chevron Labour Contractors with “NUPENG” and consequently a communiqué dated 1^st August, 2008 was birthed and duly signed. The said communique is attached herewith for your perusal and ease of reference.
• That neither the entreaties of the your ministry nor the agitations of NUPENG have been yielded to by Chevron till date and the FUNIWA (7) still remain on standby without monthly pay and employment entitlement thus causing them excruciating hardship.

Accordingly, may we request that you swiftly intervene as Chevron who we have on behalf of our client written to have been adamant even though their oppressive and discriminatory attitude cannot find comfort in the United Kingdom where Chevron home office is situate. Nigeria should not be a haven for their nefarious activities.

We honestly count on you.

Yours faithfully,

_________________

A.   I Oviawe Esq.

Managing partner

A. I Oviawe Legal Consults

08038974994

08183769929.