BY GODWIN OBI
A storm is brewing at Africa’s biggest refinery. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the Dangote Refinery of “anti-labour practices of the worst kind” following the sudden dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers.
The association, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, described the mass sack as unjust, discriminatory, and a gross violation of Nigeria’s labour laws.
“We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of this plant. Instead of valuing this workforce, Management has chosen to replace them with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom lack valid immigration documentation,” PENGASSAN declared.
Refinery’s Defence: Sabotage and Safety Concerns
In its reaction, the Dangote Refinery justified the sackings, claiming they were necessary due to “intermittent cases of sabotage in various units of the company with dire consequences on human life and safety.”
The management insisted that its decision was taken in the “best interest of the company and workers’ safety.”
Violation of Labour Laws
But PENGASSAN is not buying the explanation. The union accused Dangote of flouting both the Labour Act and the Trade Union Act, saying the refinery’s actions amounted to a deliberate assault on Nigerian workers’ rights.
“Under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures fair treatment, these actions are glaringly in violation of our labour laws. The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or justification contravenes their legal rights,” the union stated.
PENGASSAN further warned that the refinery’s refusal to recognise the workers’ newly organised union reflected a “troubling trend of marginalising Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour.”
Union Fires Warning Shot
The oil and gas workers’ body declared that it would no longer tolerate “the blatant disregard” for the rights of Nigerian workers and vowed to hold Dangote accountable.
“The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect. We cannot, and will not, tolerate this systematic replacement of Nigerians with foreigners. Employers must remember their social responsibility to the communities in which they operate,” the union thundered.
With more than 2,000 Indian workers reportedly brought in to replace the sacked staff, PENGASSAN warned that the issue could snowball into a full-blown labour crisis unless urgent steps are taken to reinstate the affected Nigerians.
What’s Next?
The fiery clash between Africa’s largest private employer in the energy sector and one of Nigeria’s most powerful labour unions could escalate into a showdown with national implications, especially in an economy battling inflation, unemployment, and rising discontent.
For now, all eyes are on the Dangote Group and the Federal Government’s labour regulators to see how they will respond to what PENGASSAN has branded a “labour injustice of monumental proportions.”
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