On Tuesday, employees of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) gathered at the commission’s head office in Abuja to protest the non-payment of their salaries.
The petroleum workers wielded placards with various inscriptions and chanted solidarity songs, demanding the release of their seven months’ unpaid salaries.
During the protest, they also called on the management to ensure proper remittance of their pensions.
The situation highlighted the severe financial strain faced by the workers and their dissatisfaction with the commission’s handling of their wages.
Government of Oyo State Calls for Dialogue with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
In response to the growing discontent among workers, the government of Oyo State, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, took a proactive step by inviting the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to a roundtable discussion.
The meeting aims to address the issue of salary deductions that has been a subject of concern for workers in the state.
Earlier, a protest had taken place at the state secretariat in the Agodi area of Ibadan, where workers demanded an upward revision of their allowances and voiced other grievances.
State Government’s Response to Workers’ Protests
The Oyo State Government, represented by the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, released a statement in response to the workers’ demands.
The government clarified that only three months of deductions, rather than six months, are owed to the workers.
While acknowledging the workers’ concerns, the state government appealed to them to refrain from further protests.
The government emphasized that salary deductions were a widespread issue across states in the federation, and Oyo State’s three-month deduction was comparatively the lowest.
The Role of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
In its statement, the Oyo State Government acknowledged the Nigeria Labour Congress’s (NLC) support for the present administration due to good governance.
However, the government urged the NLC to consider the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
The appeal was made in hopes of finding a resolution through constructive dialogue and cooperation between the government and the labor union.
Conclusion
The protests at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the state secretariat in Oyo State underscore the challenging economic conditions faced by workers and their growing frustration with delayed salaries and deductions.
As both sides engage in dialogue, it is essential for all parties involved to work towards finding a mutually beneficial resolution that addresses the workers’ concerns while taking into account the financial realities faced by the state.
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