By Victor Ahiuma-Younger
A confrontation has erupted between the Petroleum and Pure Gasoline Senior Employees Affiliation of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the administration of Dangote Refinery over allegations of mass sack of Nigerian staff and their alternative with foreigners.
PENGASSAN, in a press release by its Normal Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, accused the refinery of terminating the employment of over 800 Nigerian staff and changing them with greater than 2,000 Indian nationals.
PENGASSAN described the transfer as “unjust” and a violation of Nigeria’s labour legal guidelines.
“We’re deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian staff, whose dedication and repair have been integral to the operations of this plant. As an alternative of valuing and retaining this workforce, administration has chosen to switch these certified Nigerians with over 2,000 Indian staff, lots of whom lack legitimate immigration documentation,” PENGASSAN mentioned.
The affiliation additional argued that the alleged motion undermines the welfare of Nigerian staff and the integrity of the nation’s labour system.
“The dismissal of such a major variety of Nigerian staff with out due session or any clear justification contravenes the authorized rights granted to all workers in Nigeria,” the assertion continued.
PENGASSAN additionally linked the event to what it known as a “worrying development” of exploitative practices throughout the Dangote Group, accusing the conglomerate of prioritising revenue over moral practices and group welfare.
Warning that it might not tolerate what it termed the “marginalisation of Nigerian staff in favour of overseas labour,” the union issued an ultimatum to the refinery to reinstate all sacked employees.
“We subsequently urge the administration of the Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian staff. Failure to conform will go away us with no possibility however to begin exploring all sections of the Nigerian Structure and the related labour legal guidelines,” the union warned.
PENGASSAN disclosed that an emergency Nationwide Government Council, NEC, assembly has been scheduled to resolve on its subsequent plan of action if its calls for aren’t met. It additionally known as on Nigerians to assist the employees.
“This slave labour of our brothers and sisters should not be tolerated or supported, as damage to 1 is damage to all,” the assertion added.
Dangote debunks allegations
Nevertheless, the administration of Dangote Refinery has denied the allegations, insisting that greater than 3,000 Nigerians proceed to work on the facility regardless of an ongoing reorganisation.
In its response, the refinery defined that solely a small variety of employees had been affected by the restructuring, which it mentioned was essential to handle sabotage and strengthen operations.
“Over 3,000 Nigerians proceed to work actively in our Petroleum Refinery at current. Solely a really small variety of employees had been affected, as we proceed to recruit Nigerian expertise by means of our numerous graduate trainee programmes and skilled rent recruitment course of,” the corporate mentioned.
In keeping with the assertion, the reorganisation adopted “intermittent instances of sabotage throughout the facility with dire penalties on human life and associated security issues.
“The foregoing resolution was taken in the most effective curiosity of the refinery. We stay vigilant to our inner methods and vulnerabilities to make sure the long-term stability of this strategic nationwide asset. It’s crucial to guard the refinery for the advantage of Nigerians, our companions throughout Africa, and the hundreds of individuals whose livelihoods rely on it,” administration defined.
Reaffirming its dedication to staff’ rights, the refinery mentioned it adheres to internationally accepted labour rules, together with the proper of workers to resolve on union membership with out interference.
It confused that the restructuring was “an audit course of to safeguard the long-term stability of a strategic nationwide asset” and pledged to proceed working with regulators, workers, and stakeholders to keep up transparency and accountability.
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