Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has strongly criticised the Dangote Refinery over alleged anti-labour practices, following the reported dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian employees.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of replacing the affected staff with over 2,000 foreign workers, “mostly Indians, many of whom do not possess valid immigration papers.

PENGASSAN stressed that the action undermines the rights of Nigerians and breaches provisions of the Labour Act and Trade Union Act. “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,” the statement read.

The association described the move as a “blatant disregard” for workers’ rights and insisted that the refinery must reinstate the sacked employees or risk legal and industrial consequences. It further accused the Dangote Group of replicating “exploitative practices” in other sectors, noting that its “relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.”

PENGASSAN revealed that an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has been scheduled to determine its next steps. The union called on Nigerians to support its stand against what it labelled “slave labour”, warning that “failure to comply will leave us with no option but to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and relevant labour laws. We stand resolute in our commitment to uphold the rights of Nigerian workers.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post