A peaceful protest held in Eket last Thursday as 2,930 retrenched ExxonMobil workers, comprising former janitorial service workers and catering workforce, defied the heavy downpour and marched the streets, demanding payment of their severance benefits.
The ex-employees, who were retrenched between 2012 and 2017, are seeking compensation for their unpaid entitlements, marched with placard inscriptions “ExxonMobil Janitorial Staff and Unified Catering Workforce Staging a Peaceful Protest Over Non-Payment of Entitlements (Pay Off) Since 2012/2017” and “Human Rights Community to ExxonMobil: Respect Labour and Nigeria Constitution; Stop the Abuse of Human Rights/Labour Rights in Nigeria Unlimited; We’re Not Slaves; Pay Us Our Entitlements Before Signing Divestment to Seplat Energy”.
According to Moses Mbong, spokesperson for the group, “We’re not asking for favours; we’re demanding what’s rightfully ours. ExxonMobil must take responsibility for its actions and pay us our dues.”
Speaking on the same vein, a human rights activist, Comrade Renner Ekong emphasized the workers’ plight, saying, “For years, these dedicated employees served ExxonMobil, contributing to the company’s success. Now, they’re being denied their rightful entitlements. This is a gross violation of their human rights and labour laws.”
Mr. Samuel Etukudo Ekpe, another leader of the retrenched workers, recounted the struggles they’ve faced, noting, “Many of our members have suffered immensely, struggling to make ends meet. Some have lost their homes, businesses, and even loved ones, due to the financial hardships caused by ExxonMobil’s refusal to pay our entitlements”.
They called on ExxonMobil to pay all outstanding severance benefits to retrenched workers, respect labour laws and human rights, and prioritize the welfare of its former employees before divesting to Seplat Energy.
They also appealed for the intervention of international community before the situation gets out of control.
“The Nigerian government should also intervene to ensure that the rights of its citizens are protected”, said another protester.
Efforts to reach the corporate affairs department of ExxonMobil were unsuccessful as repeated calls were not responded to.
