The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has announced plans to join the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, in a nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery over alleged anti-labour practices.
TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, demanding a public apology from Dangote Refinery for sacking more than 800 workers following their voluntary membership of PENGASSAN.
The union insisted that no company or corporation would be allowed to undermine the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers, warning affiliates to prepare for industrial action if the refinery management does not reverse the sackings and apologise.
“The Congress hereby places all affiliates on standby for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with these demands within a reasonable time.
“We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with their union, our affiliate PENGASSAN, whose members have been victimised merely for declaring membership. Such actions amount to a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and on Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
“No corporation, regardless of size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers. The TUC stands united and ready to act decisively in defence of our members and the Nigerian workforce,” TUC stated.
PENGASSAN had declared a nationwide strike at the weekend, directing members to cut gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery. The company, in response, described the directive as economic sabotage.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission urged both Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
