Dangote refinery replaced sacked Nigerian workers with Indians – PENGASSAN issues ultimatum
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, said the Dangote refinery replaced sacked Nigerian workers with Indians.
This comes as the union in a statement on Friday, gave the $19 billion worth of refinery utlimatum to recall the sacked workers.
According to the Union, the refinery unjustly sacked over 800 Nigerian workers.
PENGASSAN stressed that, in case of failure to comply, the union would explore all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws to address the matter.
It further noted that the union will not tolerate disregard for Nigerian workers.
“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”, he said
“PENGASSAN therefore urges the management of the Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers. Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws.
“Furthermore, we will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act, which enshrines the right of workers to organise and join trade unions,” the Union added.
DAILY POST reports that Dangote Refinery in a statement on Friday, confirmed it sacked some Nigerian workers over sabotage.
The firm, however, claimed that “Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit.”
While Dangote Refinery struggles to defend its action against Nigerian workers, PENGASSAN said it has summoned an emergency national executive council at the weekend to take decisive action.
DAILY POST recalls that in the past weeks, Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, among others, were embroiled in a face-off over unionisation of the former’s workers.
