The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused Dangote Refinery of violating labour laws after terminating the employment of over 800 Nigerian workers.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 26, the association’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, criticised the move, claiming that the dismissed workers had been replaced with foreigners.
“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 over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom lack valid immigration documentation,” PENGASSAN said.
The union described the decision as discriminatory, insisting it breached provisions of the Labour Act.
“Under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, the actions of Dangote Refinery are glaringly in violation of our labour laws.
“The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or any transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria,” the statement read.
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PENGASSAN further accused the company of attempting to silence workers’ voices by undermining their right to unionise.
“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,” it added.
The association called on Dangote Refinery to recall the affected employees, warning that it would be forced to take legal steps if the issue was not resolved.
“Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws.
“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,” PENGASSAN said.