The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has confirmed the sack of over 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery, alleging that the company intends to replace them with over 2000 Indians without immigration documentation.
The company had yesterday said it sacked the affected staff as part of its reorganisation strategies.
In a statement on Friday,Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, said the current moves by the company not only undermines the livelihoods of Nigerian citizens but also raises serious concerns about the integrity of labour practices and compliance with the Labour Act of Nigeria.
He explained that under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, adding that the actions of Dangote Refinery are grossly in violation of our labour laws.
He added that the dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or any transparent justification contravene the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria.
He expressed that the union will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act.
The recent organisation of these workers as members of PENGASSAN underscores their collective power and right to protection under the law, he said.
He added:”We emphasise that such actions illustrate a troubling trend towards the marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour, which we cannot, and will not, tolerate. The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect, and we demand accountability from employers who possess a social responsibility to the communities they operate in.
“Furthermore, we would be remiss to overlook the broader implications of Dangote Group’s capitalistic pursuits beyond the confines of the refinery sector. Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in various sectors where the company maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.”
He urged the management of the Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers, failing which union will have no option than to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws.
He said:”We stand resolute in our commitment to uphold the rights of Nigerian workers and will take all necessary legal actions open to us as an Association to ensure that they are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve.
“We have scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to direct the Association on the way forward. We call on all Nigerians therefore to support this cause and to stand against the exploitation of our workforce by capitalists who seek to undermine our national priorities for their profit. This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be tolerated or supported, as injury to one is injury to all.”