Oil companies fired about 3,000 workers in Nigeria

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Oil companies that operate on the territory of Nigeria have fired about 3,000 workers, according to the country’s labor union. They are asking the country’s government to step in into the situation with foreign operators, Reuters informs on Thursday.

"The government should call the multinationals to order. They are sacking and closing shop," Igwe Achese, president of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, told Reuters after a union meeting. "So we want government to act. That's why we have given a 21-day ultimatum. We believe government would act. If they don't, when we get to the bridge, that is at the expiration of the ultimatum, we will cross it. I don't want to use the word 'strike' now."

Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Pan Ocean and Saipem are named among the firms who dismissed employees on their oil projects in Nigeria. The companies do not comment the claims from Nigerian labor union.

The country’s oil industry has suffered greatly due to low crude oil prices and militant attacks in the Niger Delta region. On Monday Nigeria’s government announced a raise of output to 1.9 million barrels per day.