Chevron Workers Demand Welfare Reforms, Appeal to Olu of Warri for Intervention

Indigenous workers at Chevron Nigeria Limited have staged a peaceful protest in Delta State, accusing the oil giant of failing to honour long-standing welfare agreements.

The workers, who operate in Chevron’s Onshore and Escravos locations, called on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to intervene and prevent the crisis from escalating in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters in Warri, Williams Ebo said the workers’ demands had been tabled and agreed upon with Chevron representatives, but remain unfulfilled.

“These agreements were established after dialogue with Chevron management. However, the terms remain unimplemented, and we are left with no option but to seek His Majesty’s fatherly intervention,” Ebo stated.

Workers’ Key Demands

The protesters listed ten outstanding welfare issues, including:

• Implementation of a new salary structure and timely payday
• Monthly medical allowance
• Severance and retirement benefits
• Conversion of 70% of community contract staff to direct Chevron employees
• Daily transportation allowance
• 13th-month salary payment
• Production bonus
• Provision of three meals daily, not just lunch
• Inclusion of community workers in advanced technical and safety training

Ebo stressed that for over three decades, indigenous workers have contributed significantly to Chevron’s operations under hazardous conditions but continue to be denied basic entitlements such as health insurance.

“This has negatively impacted our well-being and security, despite the importance of health insurance in safeguarding lives and livelihoods,” he added.

Royal and Political Intervention Sought

The workers urged the Olu of Warri to mediate in the dispute, describing him as their “revered father and king,” and further appealed to the Nigerian Senate, through Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, to join efforts in compelling Chevron to honour its commitments.

They warned that failure to address their concerns could spark wider unrest in a region already sensitive to oil-related disputes.