Support staff of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in Delta State have commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down operations in protest against what they described as “Poor Condition of Service” by company management.
The protesting workers, who gathered in large numbers at the facility’s gate, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanding urgent improvements to their welfare. They vowed to remain at the premises until their concerns are addressed.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Dafe Ighomiteso, leader of the support staff, revealed that support personnel constitute 80 percent of WRPC’s workforce. “It is sad to note that we are here protesting against workplace slavery,” he said.
He further explained that the group had been agitating since 2015. “We have a compendium, the workplace. It is a five-page document which we promised to make available to the public after this briefing,” Ighomiteso added. He emphasized, “We have been agitating for a single item: good condition of service.”
Highlighting poor compensation, Ighomiteso noted, “Cleaners working in hazardous conditions only recently started receiving thirty-four thousand, five hundred naira as monthly salary. For engineers, technicians, and technocrats, the range is from ninety thousand to one hundred sixty-five thousand naira. We don’t have insurance coverage, medical allowance, pension, transport, housing, or meal allowances. We are saying here that we are not slaves.”
He also said some workers have served for up to 18 years without proper employment terms. “We are not asking to be paid what their core staff earn, but to be placed on conditions similar to support staff in other NNPC units, especially in the oil and gas sector,” he said, expressing concern over casualization, which he described as unlawful.
Another protester, Innocent Ileleji, a cleaner and gardener, echoed the concerns. “We are being paid thirty-four thousand, five hundred naira. The amount they are paying us is far too small. Management should look into it.”
Support staff member Elohor Poko also appealed to the General Chief Officer to take decisive action. “Our salaries are very, very poor,” she said.
An anonymous source at WRPC confirmed that most plant operations have ceased due to maintenance, with only the turbine unit functional to maintain minimal operations. The source noted that the refinery is currently 60 percent completed.
Efforts to obtain an official response from WRPC management were unsuccessful as no comment was provided.
