Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Retrenched Workers Accuse Exxonmobil Of Hypocrisy And Corruption; Provide Evidence Of Bribery Of NUPENG Officials
By SaharaReporters, New York
More than 100 Nigerian workers retrenched by ExxonMobil from the Qua Iboe crude export terminal have accused the oil company of corruption, high-handedness and hypocrisy.
The retrenched workers were employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), the Nigerian unit of ExxonMobil, a company whose questionable corporate practices and operations have been spotlighted by SaharaReporters.
Our investigations, which involved interviews with numerous retrenched workers, revealed that the oil firm often connives with union leaders to violate Nigerian labor laws, even as the company hypocritically claims to operate in accordance with best corporate practices and high ethical standards.
Many of the retrenched workers told SaharaReporters that the company locked them out of their duty posts with no prior warning by blocking their access control cards. Such cards are issued to workers to enable them to gain access to their posts.
Under the terms of their employment contract, the dismissed staff were entitled to prior notice as well as end of contract bonus in line with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. The company apparently ignored its obligations to give prior notice and to pay entitlements due to the terminated staff.
“Part of our plight is that the company bribes union officials to keep quiet when the rights of workers are violated, yet the same company deceives the whole world that its management plays by the rules,” said one affected worker. Another added, “We have decided that this falsehood cannot continue.”
The retrenched workers expressed shock at discovering the collusion of union officials in the company’s high-handed treatment of Nigerian workers.
“We uncovered that the management of Mobil gave out cash and refrigerators to union officials as so-called ‘appreciation and logistics’ during their last negotiations in Lagos,” said a spokesman for the retrenched workers. He added: “When we reported the incident to Mobil MD, Mr. Mark Ward, he swept the matter under the carpet.”
The workers revealed that the company appointed an investigator to look into the bribery scandal. But they complained that, rather than deal with the substance of the allegations and the evidence attached, the investigator focused his attention on the source of the document.
A source within ExxonMobil stated that the cash bribe for members of the oil workers union was handed to Harry Bassey, the national public relations officer of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
One of the affected workers said the collusion between management and union officials was a betrayal of Nigerian staff. “Workers no longer have to look far for the reasons why union leaders cannot be effective. We have answered the questions, and we want all stakeholders to see Mobil and their parent company in their true colors,” one of the dismissed workers told SaharaReporters.
Several officials of Mobil Nigeria distanced themselves from the scam when SaharaReporters sought their views. Some claimed to be ignorant of the development while others said that the company was investigating the allegations, and that they could therefore not comment.
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ada, i seriously doubt if you
Submitted by kayode (not verified) on October 26, 2011 - 13:17.
ada, i seriously doubt if you live and work in nigeria, talk less of working for exxonmobil. If at all you do, then you either work for HR or will soon be on the next sack list. FYI, These guys have battled these unjust practices for years now, that is the reason for their victimization and sack.
You obviously arent a union activist, thank God for you. At least you can sit on the fence and enjoy your self while other people fight for you. Enjoy...
Do not sell your memebers.
Submitted by konibaje (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 14:33.
Remember, what goes up must come down. Whatever that is sown will be reaped one day.
If you sell others for your good only, one day you will be sold too. The way may differ and could be dangerous and calamitous.
This is a very bad situation
Submitted by Lawrence (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 12:13.
This is a very bad situation and Nigerians has to stand up and fight for justice. Join Movement for Accountability and Good Governance (MAGG) to fight these mayhem. Go to www.aggmovement.org and Register. Nigeria will soon be singing a new song.
Alleged corruption and Violation of Fundamental Human rights
Submitted by Adetola (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 12:10.
This is totally unacceptable and babaric,in a country where there is a Senate President and National Assembly.
They should look into this alleged violation of the fundamental Human Rights of these workers.
If they dont deal with this Chevron, Total and Agip will follow suit.
Thanks
corruption in high places
Submitted by Godwin (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 08:45.
its quite unfortunate...its can only happen in nigeria,no where else.all over the country,the so called union leaders are all corrupt.efcc shld act now & get those involved arrested.
Hell hath no fury like a Nigerian man retrenched
Submitted by Ada (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 06:46.
Nodoby retrenched ever has a nice thing to say so SR please look at both sides of the story. Hell hath no fury like a man retrenched in Nigeria. If you knew they were corrupt all these while, then why were you still working for them. Once the retrenched you, now you see th elight. Selfish Nigeiran attitude I say.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST PROTECT THE INTEREST OF OUR WORKERS
Submitted by DR URHOBO CITIZEN (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 01:37.
We kindly and sincerely request the intervention of the National Assembly and Federal House of Representative into this unaqcceptable conduct by Mobil on our workers with the view of swiftly restoring these workers and severely punished all concern especially MOBIL.
The Managing Director of MOBIL PLC should be summoned by our Members at the SENATE and House of Representative as these disgracefull, slavery, provocative, undemocratic,illegal and fraudulent practice must be stamped out. Nigerians deserve respect and dignity from foreign oil companies that choose to operate in our Nation with strict compliance with botth OAU Human Rights Charter and International Labour / Employment Charter of UN Convention.
Add Nigerians Saving
Submitted by Omololu Omotosho (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 00:59.
Add Nigerians Saving Nigerians to the blogroll of Sahara Reporters
Add Nigerians Saving
Submitted by Omololu Omotosho (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 00:56.
Add Nigerians Saving Nigerians: http://nigerianssavingnigerians.org/ to the blogroll of Sahara Reporters
Add Nigerians Saving
Submitted by Omololu Omotosho (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 00:54.
Add Nigerians Saving Nigerians: http://nigerianssavingnigerians.org/ to the blogroll of Sahara Reporters
Add Nigerians Saving
Submitted by Omololu Omotosho (not verified) on October 16, 2011 - 00:50.
Add Nigerians Saving Nigerians: http://nigerianssavingnigerians.org/ to the blogroll of Sahara Reporters
over to el rufai our new oil minister
Submitted by Deri (not verified) on October 15, 2011 - 23:37.
In the oil producing states in the Middle East, u dare not fire a worker from the zone that the oil oozes out from-for the fun of it. Sadly some of these companies are owned by the Obas, Obis, Emirs, Field Marshals, Sea Marshals and Air Marshals. We dont even know the terms under which some of these imperial trans-national oil companies operate in the country. Whether the land where the oil wells are located including the humans, are also traded off to the oil firms, remains to be (explanated)to us by the custodians of the oil rigs in the country. That Nigerian are hired on contract basis by these oil firms is a shame on the gluttons we call lawbrakers in abuja.
