The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is considering a strike action to compel Dangote Refinery to halt its alleged anti-labour practices.

The General Secretary of the association, Lumumba Okugbawa, who gave this indication yesterday in a statement personally signed by him, disclosed that the oil workers’ union has summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting where all industrial tools will be explored to tackle the practice.

He declared that the failure of the refinery to rescind its sacking of qualified workers without provocation would force the union to respond in equal measure within the Nigerian Constitution.

He said: “Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws. We stand resolute in our commitment to uphold the rights of Nigerian workers and will take all necessary legal actions open to us as an Association to ensure that they are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve.

“We have scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to direct the Association on the way forward.”

Okugbawa noted that PENGASSAN is deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of Dangote Refinery.

He submitted that instead of valuing and retaining this workforce, Dangote Refinery decided to replace qualified Nigerians with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom lack valid immigration documentation.

He argued that the move will not only undermine the livelihoods of Nigerians but also raise serious concerns about the integrity of labour practices and compliance with the Labour Act of Nigeria.

“Under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, the actions of Dangote Refinery are glaringly in violation of our labour laws. The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or any transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria,” PENGASSAN said.

The union declared that it will not tolerate the blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act, which enshrines the right of workers to organise and join trade unions.

The oil workers insisted that the recent organisation of the workers as members of PENGASSAN underscores their collective power and right to protection under the law.

It emphasised that such actions illustrate a troubling trend towards the marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour, which it cannot and will not tolerate.
It added:

“The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect, and we demand accountability from employers who possess a social responsibility to the communities they operate in. Furthermore, we would be remiss to overlook the broader implications of Dangote Group’s capitalistic pursuits beyond the confines of the refinery sector. Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in various sectors where the company maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.”

PENGASSAN, therefore, urged the management of Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers, saying:

“We call on all Nigerians therefore to support this cause and to stand against the exploitation of our workforce by capitalists who seek to undermine our National priorities for their profit. This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be tolerated or supported, as injury to one is injury to all.”