The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has alleged that Nigerian workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals were sacked shortly after joining the union. The association recently accused Dangote Refinery management of intimidation and violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement signed by branch chairman Abdulfatai Muhammed and branch secretary Eseoghene Choice, PENGASSAN said that the dismissals happened within 24 hours of the staff unionising.
According to PENGASSAN, the intimidation started on the evening of the same day when staff buses were withdrawn, forcing workers to pay up to ₦4,000 for transportation to attend work.
The union stated that between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm, Nigerian staff who had joined PENGASSAN were denied entry into the refinery premises, while expatriate staff were granted access.
”A meeting was held with members, during which they were asked to indicate their membership in PENGASSAN. Overwhelmingly, staff at the refinery affirmed YES.
At about 9:59 pm, workers received a mass termination email addressed to ‘all staff’ of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE,” it read.
The union further claimed that security operatives were ordered to arrest and detain its caretaker committee chairman, describing such an act as an attempt to intimidate labour leaders.
PENGASSAN concluded by saying that Dangote Group clearly violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to freely assemble and associate.
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