Niger intends to fire Chinese oil workers, according to records

Niger has requested the departure of certain Chinese employees engaged in oil projects, as indicated by documents reviewed by Reuters on Friday. This action may impact numerous individuals and further complicate bilateral relations.

Like other West African nations, junta-led Niger has been working to enhance its control over natural resources and foster local employment opportunities.

Oil minister Sahabi Oumarou has requested that the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its refinery SORAZ end the contracts of expatriates who have been employed in Niger for over four years, as indicated in two letters.

In a letter to SORAZ dated May 21, Oumarou expressed a willingness to accommodate, acknowledging the necessity of retaining certain employees within the country and stating that departure decisions would be evaluated individually.

In a different letter addressed to CNPC on May 20, Oumarou expressed his decision to decline a private meeting with the company’s CEO, who had requested to discuss the tensions between the two parties.

In that letter, Oumarou accused CNPC of failing to comply with local regulations.

The Chinese foreign ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters.

In March, Niger expelled three Chinese oil executives due to a disagreement regarding the differences in salaries between expatriate staff and their lower-paid local counterparts.

After the executives were dismissed, top officials at CNPC have been seeking to engage in negotiations with the government, according to a source familiar with the company.

The source indicated that if the decision outlined in the letters dated May 20 and May 21 is implemented, numerous Chinese workers will be required to return home.