Oil Workers Demand Reinstatement Of Colleagues At Dangote Refinery

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has  demanded the immediate reinstatement of Nigerian workers sacked by the Dangote Refinery, labelling the action as an unjust termination and a violation of the labour laws.

The union expressed outrage at the refinery’s management, accusing it of anti-labour practices.

It gave the management of Dangote Refinery an ultimatum to recall all terminated workers.

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Failure to comply, it warned, would force PENGASSAN to explore all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws to get justice.

In a statement singed by its general secretary, Comrade Lumumba  Okugbawa,  PENGASSAN claimed that the company had terminated the employment of over 800  Nigerian staff and replaced them with over 2,000 Indian workers, whom the union said many lack valid immigration documentation.

The union contended that this move undermined the livelihoods of Nigerian citizens and flouts Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures fair treatment.

According to the statement, the mass dismissal was carried out without due consultation or any transparent justification, contravening the legal rights of employees.

PENGASSAN also highlighted that the affected workers had recently organised themselves as members of the union, asserting their rights under the Trade Union Act. The association described the refinery’s actions as part of a troubling trend towards the marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour.