The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for the immediate recall of workers sacked by the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Nigeria. The regional organisation, which represents 18 million workers across 52 African countries, strongly condemned the alleged termination of employment of over 800 workers at the Dangote …
ITUC-Africa Calls for Immediate Recall of Workers Sacked by Dangote Refinery
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for the immediate recall of workers sacked by the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Nigeria.
The regional organisation, which represents 18 million workers across 52 African countries, strongly condemned the alleged termination of employment of over 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria for exercising their right to join a trade union.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, ITUC-Africa said it views the Dangote Refinery “as a symbol of African progress, industrial ambition, and a march towards energy sovereignty,” adding that African workers are ready to support the refinery to attain these potentials.
The group said it believes that having an organised workforce is critical to the refinery’s operation and success and therefore finds it unacceptable that the company is opposing workers organising to advance their shared interests by joining labour unions.
Pinnacle Daily had reported that the management of Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have been at loggerheads over the sacking of Nigerian workers for allegedly joining the union. PENGASSAN embarked on a strike on Sunday, directing its members to stop the supply of crude oil and gas to the private refinery and withdraw their services nationwide. Dangote Refinery clarified that only a small number of Nigerian workers were disengaged and that it was part of ongoing reorganisation of the company in response to repeated acts of sabotage.
Following the intervention of the federal government, a conciliatory meeting chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment was held in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday where a resolution was reached for the suspension of the strike. It was also agreed at the meeting that the management of Dangote Group must recall the affected staff and transfer them to other companies within the conglomerate without loss of remuneration.
READ ALSO: PENGASSAN Calls off Strike after FG Brokered Agreement With Dangote
However, PENGASSAN president Festus Osifo, who also doubles as TUC chairman, said they were not satisfied with the terms of the agreement but accepted to suspend the strike out of respect for the Federal Government and to demonstrate their patriotism. Osifo said the union will not hesitate to resume the industrial action once they notice non-compliance with the agreement by Dangote Group, adding that there will be no notice.
READ ALSO: We’ll Resume Strike If Dangote Fails to Comply – PENGASSAN
ITUC-Africa said Dangote’s actions are against the rights of workers to unionise as guaranteed in labour laws, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and several conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“We are particularly alarmed that the Dangote Refinery sacked workers who elected to join the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). This action is a blatant violation of workers’ rights, and it stands condemned. This mass sack of PENGASSAN’s subscribed members is an affront to Nigeria’s Constitution and contrary to the principles of responsible business practice,” it stated.
It pointed out that these legal instruments provide that no worker should be punished for engaging in union activity. “The actions of Dangote management run counter to these obligations and must be called to order,” it added.
The group warned that Dangote Refinery’s current actions pose a threat to Africa’s collective journey toward sustainable industrialisation.
“Our opinion is based on our time-tested observation of the Dangote Group’s operations, which have been characterised by a monopoly-like behaviour and a reluctance to tolerate opposition.”
The regional trade union alleged that in other parts of the African continent where the Dangote Group is present, it operates the same template of being averse to workers joining trade unions.
It accused the Dangote Refinery of mobilising the media to blackmail workers who are only fighting for their rights and called on the company to desist from doing so.
While reiterating their unwavering commitment to advocating and fighting for the continent’s energy independence and shared prosperity, ITUC-Africa vowed that it shall not allow such ambition to be “undermined by a desire for unchecked monopoly and the abuse of workers’ rights”.
It therefore demanded: “Immediate reinstatement of all affected workers; a public apology and assurances against future victimisation; and an independent investigation involving the Ministry of Labour, ILO, and stakeholders.”
Underscoring the importance of respecting workers’ rights, the group said, “It is a hallmark of responsible business and a condition for genuine development. A refinery of this magnitude cannot thrive on repression but must rest on social dialogue and decent work.”
“ITUC-Africa calls on the Dangote Group to reverse this action and work with unions to advance Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy sufficiency. Should it fail to do so, ITUC-Africa will rally its affiliates and allies to defend Nigerian workers and protect the integrity of Africa’s development path,” it added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
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