Gabon oil strike continues, impact limited
LIBREVILLE, Oct 27 (Reuters) - A strike by Gabon's oil unions extended into a second day on Monday without agreement between the government and unions, a union official said, although petrochemical operations were not badly disrupted.
Some workers began a strike on Sunday after main union the National Organisation of Oil Employees (ONEP) called a walk-out over pay and conditions. But few workers heeded the call after the government made last-minute concessions on Saturday.
"We want to see in these negotiations the firm commitment of the authorities to see that the companies ... re-hire workers made redundant in March," Hans Landry Ivala, deputy secretary general of ONEP, said on Monday.
Major operators Shell Gabon (RDSa.L) and Total Gabon (EGAB.PA), majority owned by French oil firm Total (TOTF.PA), have said production will not be significantly affected by the strike. [ID:nLQ735932]
Gabon's oil output was hit by a strike in March at Shell Gabon, which also affected oil produced by other companies including Total Gabon, which pumps oil through Shell's Gamba terminal.
Gabon, one of Africa's longest-established producers, says it expects output of 273,000 barrels per day in 2009 but production has been falling as many fields reach maturity. (Reporting by Antoine Lawson; Writing by Daniel Magnowski; Editing by Alistair Thomson and Sue Thomas)
