Breaking: NUPENG Pickets General Electric In VI Over Unsettled Terminal Benefits Of Disengaged Staff

Breaking: NUPENG Pickets General Electric In VI Over Unsettled Terminal Benefits Of Disengaged Staff

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday, February 3, 2020 disrupted business activities at the head quarters of General Electric over non settlement of exit benefits of their ex-staff four years after disengagement from service.

The main entrance to the Victoria Island office of the company located at Bishop Aboyade Cole was blocked early Monday morning by protesting NUPENG members who are simply demanding for the protection of their rights after long period of failed promises of their former employer.

The well comported, peaceful and articulate protesters who are largely clad in red attire were seen chanting solidarity songs, carrying placards with various inscriptions and also baring their minds on what prompted the action against the company, despite several entreaties by relevant authorities including the Department of State Services to resolve the crisis but all to no avail.

The affected workers led by the Chairman of Lagos Zone of NUPENG, Comrade Tayo Aboyeji and the Head of Zone, Comrade Lanre Badmus expressed displeasure over flagrant refusal of Arco Group, an employment contractor to General Electric to pay their severance packages that is long overdue.

Reacting to the legitimate protest on behalf of the workers, Head of Lagos Zone of NUPENG, Comrade Badmus said Nigerians cannot continue to be treated with disdain or contempt and that the rights of workers cannot continue to be abused without grief consequences such as this.

According to him, “the protesting workers are only asking for their severance benefits. Meanwhile on this same matter, the Ministry of Labour and Employment had intervened on it for three different occassions, and an MOU was even signed by NUPENG and other concerned parties.

Meanwhile, General Electric and its recruiting firm, Arco Group agreed to pay the workers their benefits within 7 days in December 2019. Part of the resolution was that General Electric claimed it needed to reconcile excess withholding tax deductions of the affected staff from FIRS, giving assurances that as soon as that is done payment would commence.

When further contacted on why the payment hasn’t commenced in early 2020 Arco Group in connivance with its principal claimed that deductions are yet to be remitted to them from FIRS. NUPENG went further to confirm but realised FIRS had done the needful and shocked why General Electric has refused to honour its word.” Comrade Badmus passionately stated.

As at the time of filing in this report, the management of the company refused to react to all the allegations leveled against them by the protesters.

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