Pensioners of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), under the umbrella of the Pensioners of Chevron of Nigeria (PenCoN), staged a peaceful protest today at the company’s headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.
The demonstration, which saw a significant turnout of retirees, was driven by allegations of long-standing violations of their constitutional and labour rights by the oil giant.
The pensioners expressed deep frustration over what they claim has been nearly two decades of frozen pensions, discriminatory practices, and a consistent lack of engagement with the company.
Many of the retirees in attendance voiced concerns over the company's failure to review their pension benefits since 2006, despite legal provisions requiring periodic adjustments in line with inflation and changing economic conditions.
Comrade Omare Jonathan, a representative of PenCoN, delivered a poignant address on behalf of the protesting retirees.
He criticized Chevron for what he described as a blatant disregard for the well-being of its former employees.
“It is with a heavy heart that I address this gathering. Our company, which prides itself on integrity and adherence to local laws, has instead chosen discrimination, economic deprivation, and injustice,” Jonathan declared, his voice tinged with frustration.
One of the central issues raised during the protest was Chevron's refusal to recognize PenCoN as the legitimate union representing its retirees, even though the organization claims to represent over 50% of Chevron's former employees.
The pensioners alleged that numerous attempts to engage with the company through dialogue had been rejected.
Chevron, they said, dismissed their concerns by citing its internal policies, which the company claimed took precedence over Nigerian labour laws and constitutional provisions.
Another critical grievance highlighted by the retirees was the outsourcing of Chevron’s pension fund management.
According to the protesters, this move was done without consulting the stakeholders, leaving many pensioners uncertain about the security of their future entitlements.
The pensioners voiced fears that this outsourcing could jeopardize the stability and reliability of the pension system that they depend on after years of service to the company.
Adding to the tension, the retirees accused Chevron of favouring the Chevron Retirees Association of Nigeria (CRAN), an organization they allege was established to suppress dissent among retirees.
CRAN, they argued, operates as a limited liability company and is being used by Chevron to undermine PenCoN’s efforts, thereby silencing opposition to the company’s pension policies and diverting attention away from legitimate grievances.
In response to these longstanding issues, PenCoN has laid out several demands.
These include the immediate recognition of the organization as the official union for Chevron retirees, the restoration of their frozen pension benefits, and the implementation of a transparent process for managing the pension fund.
The pensioners also called for Chevron to comply with Nigerian labour laws, particularly those mandating periodic reviews of pension benefits.
Comrade Jonathan issued a stern warning, stating that if their demands are not met, the retirees will take further actions, including escalating the matter to the media and identifying specific Chevron officials who they believe are responsible for the ongoing impasse.
"If our demands are not met, we will take further action. We will escalate this issue to the media and identify the specific Chevron officials who have been responsible for this impasse," Jonathan said.
The protesters made it clear that their fight is not just about their welfare but also about securing the dignity of labour for future retirees.
"Employees of today must remember that they are the retirees of tomorrow," Jonathan reminded the crowd, stressing the long-term significance of the struggle.
As the protest continued, there was no immediate response from Chevron representatives, as no official was available to address the retirees’ concerns or engage in dialogue with them during the protest.
Copyright Notice: All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of THE NEWS ACCELERATOR NETWORK.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please contact us at thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com or call 08051017159.
Post a Comment