The federal government, through Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of Labour and Employment, has invited the management of Dangote group and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to an emergency meeting on Monday, with a view to halting the planned nationwide strike over alleged anti-union policy.
NUPENG had earlier announced that it will begin its strike on Monday, raising fears of petrol scarcity and economic shutdown. The strike was informed by an allegation that Dangote Refinery is forcing drivers to join an association mandatorily.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has already asked its over 54 affiliates and 36 councils to get ready to join the strike, which, according to the union, involves the dignity of workers.
NUPENG has insisted on strike action, alleging that the management of Dangote Refinery is trying to bring back slavery into Nigeria’s workforce.
In a statement on Sunday, Williams Akporeha, president, and Afolabi Olufemi, general secretary, said: “For the information of the public, the DTCDA is the association which the Dangote Group of Companies has formed for the drivers to join compulsorily rather than allowing drivers to join NUPENG, which is the only statutorily recognised union authorised to unionise petroleum tanker drivers.”
The union further said,“Slavery ended centuries ago, but some unscrupulous capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave. Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions.”
The union said ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions.
