Workers vs Dangote: Nationwide Strike Looms

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has threatened to join the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in a nationwide strike over the alleged dismissal of more than 800 workers by Dangote Refinery.

TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, said the union was demanding the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers and a public apology from the refinery. He warned that all TUC affiliates should be on standby for industrial action if the management fails to comply within a reasonable period.

“No company, regardless of its size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers,” Toro stated. “We stand in full solidarity with PENGASSAN members, who have been victimised merely for declaring union membership. Such actions violate Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and breach Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation conventions.”

The warning follows PENGASSAN’s weekend directive for members to halt gas and crude supply to the refinery. Dangote Refinery, however, dismissed the union’s action as economic sabotage.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has urged both parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the dispute.