Chevron Pensioners Stage Peaceful Protest over Alleged Frozen Pensions

Wale Igbintade 

Chevron pensioners, under the aegis  of the Pensioners of Chevron Nigeria (PenCoN), staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the company’s headquarters in Lekki, Lagos, demanding justice for alleged violations of their labour and constitutional rights.

The retirees, some of whom have faced nearly two decades of frozen pensions, voiced their frustration over what they described as discriminatory practices and Chevron Nigeria Limited(CNL)’s lack of meaningful engagement with their concerns.

A representative of the protestors, Comrade Omare Jonathan,  condemned the company for its failure to uphold Nigerian labour laws and for neglecting the welfare of its former employees.

“It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you today. Chevron, a company that claims to uphold integrity and respect for local laws, has instead chosen a path of discrimination, economic deprivation, and injustice against its pensioners,” Jonathan said.

The protestors also criticised Chevron for its refusal to recognise PenCoN as a legitimate union representing over half of the company’s retirees. Despite repeated requests for dialogue, the company allegedly dismissed the union’s concerns, citing internal policies over the provisions of Nigerian constitutional and labor laws.

A major point of contention was the fact that retirees’ benefits have remained frozen since 2006, despite legal requirements for regular reviews to keep pace with inflation and economic changes. The pensioners argued that the devaluation of the naira and rising living costs have plunged many of them into poverty and even contributed to premature deaths.

Additionally, the group accused Chevron of outsourcing pension fund management without consulting the retirees, leading to fears about the safety and adequacy of their entitlements.

The retirees also alleged that Chevron has been favoring the Chevron Retirees Association of Nigeria (CRAN), a limited liability company they claim was established to suppress dissent within the retiree community.

PenCoN presented a list of demands, including the immediate recognition of the union, the restoration of frozen pensions, and greater transparency regarding pension fund management. The protestors warned that failure to meet these demands would lead to further actions, including increased media attention and naming specific Chevron officials allegedly responsible for the issue.

“Employees of today must remember that they are the retirees of tomorrow,” Jonathan cautioned.

The retirees vowed to continue their campaign for justice, stressing that their struggle is not only for their own rights but also for the dignity of labour and the future well-being of retirees.