PENGASSAN Accuses Dangote Refinery of Anti-Labour Practices, Demands Reinstatement of Fired Nigerian Workers

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the management of Dangote Refinery of engaging in anti-labour practices following the dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers. The union described the move as unjust, stressing that the affected workers had contributed significantly to the operations of the refinery before being replaced with over 2,000 foreign nationals.

According to PENGASSAN, most of the replacements are Indian workers, many of whom reportedly lack valid immigration documentation. The union said the action not only endangers the livelihoods of the dismissed Nigerians but also violates the provisions of the Labour Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination and guarantees fair treatment for employees.

“The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria,” PENGASSAN said in a statement.

Workers’ Rights and Unionisation

The association further accused Dangote Refinery of undermining the rights of workers to freely organise, as enshrined in the Trade Union Act. It noted that many of the sacked employees had recently joined PENGASSAN, a move that underscored their collective power and legal protection.

PENGASSAN said the decision to replace Nigerian workers with foreign labour points to a worrying trend of marginalisation of local talent in favour of expatriates. The union warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of Nigerian workers in key industries.

“We emphasise that the sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect. Employers must be held accountable to the communities in which they operate and must not prioritise profit over human dignity,” the union added.

PENGASSAN Calls for Reinstatement and Legal Threats

PENGASSAN demanded that all dismissed Nigerian workers be reinstated immediately, warning that failure to do so would compel the union to pursue all legal options available under the Nigerian Constitution and labour laws.

The union further criticised what it described as exploitative practices by the Dangote Group in other sectors of its business operations, arguing that the company must balance its profit motives with ethical employment practices and community responsibility.

“The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent and community welfare is unacceptable. If the terminated workers are not recalled, we will explore every legal avenue to ensure that Nigerian workers are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” PENGASSAN concluded.