…says Union may shut down Dangote refinery
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) in its protest against alleged anti-labour practices at the Dangote Refinery.
PENGASSAN, in a statement signed by Lumumba Okugbawa, the Association’s General Secretary, stated that should the ongoing situation persist without a resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests.
NUPENG last week had expressed reservations about the position of Chairman of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, that drivers recruited for operations of its 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks imported into the country would not be allowed to join any trade union.
The Union described the position taken by the management of Dangote Refinery as an affront on the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.
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PENGASSAN said, “We wish to put on record that Dangote refinery management has been resisting potential members of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG from joining the Association since its inception.
“All diplomatic efforts to persuade the company’s management have so far not yielded the desired result. It is with deep concern that PENGASSAN observes the increasing resistance to unionisation at the Dangote refinery, as the continued denial of workers’ rights will no longer be tolerated going forward.”
The Association noted that the right of workers to organise and collectively bargain is not only a fundamental human right but also essential for promoting fair labour practices, ensuring safety, and upholding dignity in the workplace.
It stated that failure to recognise and respect the rights of workers to unionise will have consequences that extend beyond Dangote’s refinery workplace, thereby impacting all facets of our industry.
“In unity, we advocate for the rights of all workers and pledge our support to NUPENG in this vital mission. Together, we will work towards an equitable and just labour environment for all employees at Dangote Refinery,” the statement read.
