The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Sunday warned that it may declare a nationwide strike over what it described as “anti-worker” policies by the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Nuhu Toro, the TUC condemned the refinery’s recent actions, particularly the dismissal of workers for joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
“The TUC strongly condemns the recent anti-worker actions of the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, particularly the unjust termination of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association and unionisation.
“We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with their union, our affiliate PENGASSAN, whose members have been victimised merely for declaring membership.
“Such actions amount to a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and on Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation conventions,” the statement read.
The TUC outlined its demands as follows: “Immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected workers; Public apology from Dangote management with firm assurances against future victimisation; An independent investigation involving the Ministry of Labour, ILO and stakeholders into the refinery’s labour practices.”
The statement further warned: “Congress hereby places all affiliates on stand-by for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with these demands within a reasonable time.
“No corporation, regardless of size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers. The TUC stands united and ready to act decisively in defence of our members and the Nigerian workforce.”
This comes as PENGASSAN, on Saturday, ordered its members across the country to cut crude oil and gas supplies to the $20bn refinery after alleging that over 800 Nigerian workers had been dismissed for unionising.
In its circular, signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused Dangote Refinery of violating labour laws and international conventions. It further alleged that the sacked workers had been replaced with “over 2,000 Indians,” describing the move as “an affront to all workers in Nigeria.”
The conflict escalated after Dangote Refinery, in a September 24 letter, ordered the dismissal of some staff over alleged sabotage that it claimed threatened the safety of operations at the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.
While PENGASSAN insists about 800 workers were affected, Dangote management denied the claim, saying only a small number were impacted by a restructuring exercise aimed at improving efficiency. It maintained that the majority of its workforce remains Nigerian.
Labour stakeholders warn that if the directives by both PENGASSAN and TUC are fully enforced, crude supply to the refinery could be disrupted, with ripple effects across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.