P’Harcourt Refinery’s Support Staff Protest Unpaid Salaries, Threaten Shutdown

Support staff of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited have begun protesting over unpaid salaries, delayed implementation of a new remuneration package and other unresolved welfare issues.

The workers, under the Support Staff Union of Port Harcourt Refining Company, SUPSUPHAR, said the new salary and remuneration package was approved to take effect from October 1, 2026, but had yet to be implemented.

In a notice to management dated October 2, the union announced plans for peaceful protests and possible industrial action if its demands were not addressed.

The workers are also demanding payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed to them, as well as improved engagement between management and recognised labour representatives.

Another major demand is a one-off N1 million housing or rent relief payment for eligible support staff.

The protest comes amid broader concerns among support workers at Nigeria’s state-owned refineries over their conditions of service. Workers have complained of inadequate remuneration and the non-payment of benefits they say they are entitled to.

Reports from the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries indicate that workers have also raised concerns over the possible delay of the newly approved salary structure until January 2027.

At the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, support workers reportedly shut the refinery entrance on Monday as part of similar protests. They demanded immediate implementation of the salary package and payment of outstanding benefits, while also expressing concerns over reported plans to restructure the workforce.

Support workers across the refineries have called for clearer conditions of service, improved welfare and guarantees that any restructuring would be accompanied by appropriate severance arrangements.

At Port Harcourt, the union is awaiting a response from management to its demands.

The latest protest adds to previous labour disputes involving workers and contractors at the refinery. Earlier in the year, contract workers at the facility protested over prolonged salary arrears and threatened to occupy the refinery if their outstanding payments were not settled.

The workers are now urging the management of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to intervene and resolve the dispute before it escalates into a wider disruption of operations.