The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued a stern ultimatum to the management of Dangote Refinery, demanding the recall of more than 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked and replaced with foreign nationals.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa on Friday in Abuja, the union condemned the dismissals as “anti-labour” and a violation of Nigeria’s labour laws. PENGASSAN alleged that the refinery has engaged over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom it claimed lack valid immigration documentation, to take over the roles of the disengaged Nigerians. “We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of more than 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 union said. The association warned that failure to recall the sacked workers would leave it no choice but to pursue all legal remedies under the Constitution and labour laws. It also announced an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide its next steps, while calling on Nigerians to support the affected workers. “This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be supported. An injury to one is an injury to all,” PENGASSAN stated.
