Petroleum Station Workers (PSW) in Nigeria have raised alarm over what they describe as marginalisation and unrealistic working conditions following the hardship currently being faced in the country.
Ibrahim Zango, spokesperson for PSW disclosed this at a recent press conference in Kaduna State.
He noted that Petroleum Station Workers earn between N10,000 and N20,000 per month.
According to him, “Being a branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) just like the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Association, if you can calculate the number of petrol stations in Nigeria with at least 20 of our members in each of the stations, that will give you an idea of our population and contribution to the development of the Nigerian oil sector.
Unfortunately, despite the vital role these workers play in our economy, one of the major setbacks of the job is the excessive maltreatment and total neglect by petroleum marketers all over the country.
This maltreatment, which we see as a violation of our rights includes but not limited to indiscriminate sacking and dismissal, poor salaries and wages, and a poor healthcare system.”
He accused some marketers of neglecting their workers when they sustained injury in the line of duty, saying, “There is no formal agreement as regards to employment which will put into consideration acceptance of work, resignation, and sacking in the interest of equity.
Tell me, why won’t some of them cut corners to survive the current harsh economy?”
