Dangote Refinery has accused PENGASSAN and TUC of prioritising dues over workers’ rights, but the unions insist the law protects employees’ freedom to unionise.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of pursuing union dues rather than workers’ welfare amid threats of a nationwide strike.
In a statement on Monday, the refinery alleged that union leaders were driven by financial interests, describing the TUC as “zombie-like” for backing PENGASSAN without hearing its position. “The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions and scams that feed their lifestyles are the primary concern and interests of these oligarchs,” the company claimed.
But TUC countered that no investor is above Nigerian law. Oyo State chairman Bosun Olabiyi said, “No investor is bigger than Nigerian law. The Constitution is clear, and Nigeria is a signatory to global conventions that protect workers.”
He maintained that Dangote cannot deny employees their right to unionise, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and International Labour Organisation conventions.