Nigerian oil workers ended a two-day strike on May 26 after the government agreed to their demands. The swift victory came just days before the inauguration of the newly elected President, Umaru Yar’Adua.
The strike targeted the privatization of the country’s largest oil refinery and happened in anticipation of a two-day general strike planned for May 28-29 in response to the rigging of last month’s elections.
Union leader Peter Esele said the government granted a 15 percent increase in wages and agreed to 51 percent ownership of the refineries, leaving 49 percent to the core investors.
Workers in the oil-rich Niger Delta have faced brutal government repression meant to facilitate imperialist exploitation. According to the U.S. Department of State, Nigeria provides about 11 percent of U.S. oil imports and is the fifth-largest source for U.S. imported oil.
