Oil firms should not be sending workers to places as dangerous as Nigeria, a north-east union official said last night.
Jake Molloy, regional organiser for the RMT union, added the risks in sending people to hostile areas were far too great.
Mr Molloy said: “I wouldn’t want to go there.
“If the advice from the Foreign Office is that no one should travel there because of unrest, then employers should heed it.
“They have a duty of care to their people, wherever they are. The safety of employees is of paramount importance. If companies need work done there, they should be training more indigenous people to do it.”
About 300 Scottish staff are believed to still be working in Nigeria despite foreign nationals repeatedly being targeted by violent gangs.
Foreign Office advice for people considering travel to the troubled African country was updated just a few weeks ago.
It warns against any travel to a number of regions including the area around Port Harcourt, the hub of the local oil industry, adding: “There is a high threat of terrorism in Nigeria.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government and security institutions, international organisations as well as public areas such as markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.”
In its recently updated warning to US travellers, America’s department of state says people should avoid all but essential travel to areas including the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks.
Ray Wilson, who runs specialist offshore training firm NDE Centre in Aberdeen and has been to Nigeria on business several times, said high-profile security was part of everyday life for expat workers there.
Armed guards were needed whenever he left his hotel and journey times and routes had to be changed daily to ensure his safety.
Despite the dangers, Mr Wilson said he was not put off returning.