Workers launch strike at CNR's Ivory Coast fields (updated)

ESPOIR

08/02/2017 09:55

(Adds details) 
    ABIDJAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Workers at Canadian Natural 
Resources' (CNR)  CNQ.TO  Baobab and Espoir oil and gas fields 
in Ivory Coast launched a 72-hour strike early on Wednesday over 
employment conditions, the head of their union said. 
    "There's no gas coming from any of CNR's platforms now, and 
that represents around 30 percent of Ivorian production," Imrana 
Konate, secretary-general of the SISPOO union, told Reuters. 
"We've said it would be 72 hours, but it depends on progress in 
discussions with the ministry and company."   
    CNR company officials were not reachable for immediate 
comment. 
    The company's Ivory Coast operations produce around 70 
million cubic feet of natural gas per day, which is critical for 
supplying the West African nation's gas-fired power plants.  
    It also pumps between 40,000 and 45,000 barrels per day of 
crude, mainly for export. 
    SISPOO is demanding that CNR integrate contract employees 
hired via third-party companies into its workforce.      
 
 (Reporting by Joe Bavier; editing by Louise Heavens and Jason 
Neely) 
 ((joe.bavier@thomsonreuters.com; +225 07074101; Reuters 
Messaging: joe.bavier.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: IVORYCOAST CDN NATURAL RSC/