(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG ), has said that the economic recession in the country has affected oil and gas industry as more than 3,000 workforces have been cut back while many others have been dismissed since the recession began.

According to the President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, the current wave of dismissals in the oil and gas sector has become worrisome. He called on the Federal Government to interfere and prevail on the international or service companies to stop the cutbacks, which to him is happening daily in the industry, Sweetcrudes reports.

“We will continue to resist attempts by the multinational to outsource jobs that have existed for several years in spite of efforts of the union to create a conducive environment for our members to work. Contract staffing and outsourcing are modern day slavery which must be resisted. We therefore urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the anti-casualization bill pending at the National Assembly,” he said.

Achese also urge the Federal Government to intervene in the over unresolved labour issues with Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), ExxonMobil, Chevron Nigeria limited, Tecon Oil services, Universal Energy Services Limited and Pan Ocean adding that if the activities of these companies were not looked into at the expiration of the union’s 21-day ultimatum next week, the union would go on a nationwide industrial action.

Anita Fatunji