Oshiomhole Declares Workers’ Right to Join Unions a God-Given Privilege

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has affirmed that the right of workers to associate freely is not only enshrined in the constitution but also a God-given entitlement.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president stressed that freedom of association is a fundamental value that must be protected in any democratic society.

Oshiomhole’s comments come against the backdrop of the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which has threatened to escalate its industrial action.

The senator explained that while trade union laws safeguard both employers and employees, including the freedom to join or opt out of a union, unions must exercise caution to avoid endangering other workers’ jobs.

“It is a God-given right for human beings to associate in pursuit of their common interests, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution. But unions must balance defending their members with protecting the jobs of others,” he said.

Oshiomhole expressed concern over PENGASSAN’s threat to shut down operations at Dangote Refinery, noting that while unions are mandated to defend workers’ rights, escalation to secondary actions affecting the wider workforce is worrisome.