PENGASSAN Demands Reinstatement of 800 Sacked Nigerians at Dangote Refinery

By Chinedu Echianu

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has condemned what it described as “anti-labour practices” by the management of Dangote Refinery, following the alleged dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers and their replacement with over 2,000 foreign workers.

In a statement issued on Friday, and signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN expressed outrage at the move, claiming that many of the foreign replacements, mostly Indians, do not possess valid immigration documents. The union described the mass dismissal as unjust and a violation of the rights of Nigerian workers under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and guarantees fair treatment in the workplace.

It added that the refinery’s actions also contravened provisions of the Trade Union Act, which protects workers’ rights to organise and belong to trade unions. “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,” the statement read.

The association accused the Dangote Group of prioritising profit at the expense of ethical labour practices, warning that the trend of sidelining Nigerians in favour of foreign workers was unacceptable. PENGASSAN demanded the immediate reinstatement of all sacked Nigerian workers, stressing that failure to comply would compel it to take legal action under relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and labour laws.

The union further disclosed that an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has been scheduled to decide on its next steps, urging Nigerians to support its campaign against what it termed as “the exploitation of our workforce by capitalists who seek to undermine national priorities for their profit.” “This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be tolerated or supported, as injury to one is injury to all,” the statement concluded.