Petroleum Filling Station Workers in Nigeria have expressed deep frustration over the fact that, despite multiple hikes in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, their wages have remained stagnant and insufficient.
Speaking at a recent press conference held in Kaduna State, Ibrahim Zango, the spokesperson for the Petroleum Station Workers (PSW), highlighted that workers in this sector continue to earn between N10,000 and N20,000 per month, despite the growing cost of living.
Zango criticized the conditions under which these workers operate, describing them as exploitative. He emphasized that despite their critical role in the nation’s economy, they are treated like “slaves.”
Zango called for immediate recognition of Petroleum Station Workers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to improve their working conditions and protect their rights. He further stressed that these workers face numerous hazards, including exposure to toxic substances and the risk of fire, all while lacking access to adequate healthcare and safety measures.
His comments come in the wake of the recent decision by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets to increase the petrol pump price to between N855 and N897 per liter, up from N617.
This is the latest in a series of price hikes, with the most recent prior increase taking place in June last year when the price rose from N238 to N545 per liter following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Zango argued that, despite the critical role petroleum workers play in ensuring the distribution of fuel across the country, their meager salaries and poor working conditions remain unaddressed.
