The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised strong objections to what it described as anti-labour practices by the Dangote Refinery, following the reported termination of over 800 Nigerian workers.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union alleged that the affected workers were unjustly dismissed and replaced with more than 2,000 foreign employees, predominantly Indians, many of whom it claimed lack valid immigration documentation.
“We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of this plant. Instead of valuing and retaining this workforce, Management has chosen to replace these qualified Nigerians with foreign workers,” the statement read.
PENGASSAN said the action not only jeopardises the livelihoods of the sacked employees but also violates provisions of the Nigerian Labour Act, particularly Section 7, which prohibits workplace discrimination and guarantees fair treatment.
“The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria,” the union stressed.
The association further warned that it would not tolerate what it described as a “blatant disregard” for workers’ rights, particularly in view of the Trade Union Act, which upholds employees’ rights to organise and join unions. It noted that many of the affected workers had recently joined PENGASSAN, underscoring their collective resolve to protect their rights.
“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 union declared.
PENGASSAN called on the management of the Dangote Refinery to recall all the terminated Nigerian workers, warning that failure to do so would force the union to seek redress under the Nigerian Constitution and all relevant labour laws.
“Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in other sectors where the Dangote Group maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable,” the statement added.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers, stressing that it would take all necessary legal steps if the refinery failed to reverse the terminations.
