Dangote refinery asks Nigerians to stand against TUC, PENGASSAN amid labour dispute

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has asked Nigerians to stand against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the industrial action against the company.

In a statement on Monday, the refinery described the TUC as “zombie-like” for declaring full solidarity with PENGASSAN and threatening a nationwide strike “without making any effort to verify the claims on which the action was based”.

“We are told that he who hears only from one side and passes judgment without hearing the other side is a fool. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has placed itself in that position,” the statement reads.

“Without hearing from Dangote Refinery, the congress has passed a guilty verdict on the refinery’s management and now parrots the PENGASSAN line, zombie-like, calling ‘for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with’ its demands.”

Dangote refinery alleged that both unions are motivated by the desire to secure check-off dues.

The company cited remarks by Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN president, who said during a recent interview that the union wrote to Dangote refinery to remit dues barely a day after workers allegedly unionised.

‘TUC, PENGASSAN CARE MORE ABOUT UNIONS’ DUES’

Dangote refinery dismissed PENGASSAN and TUC as “twins from the same womb,” insisting that their real agenda is not the protection of workers but the preservation of their financial interests.

“The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions and scams that feed their lifestyles are the primary concern and interests of these oligarchs. At least, one of them, Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN admitted that much on national television very recently,” the company said.

“On account of these monthly check-off dues, PENGASSAN and its collaborators and co-conspirators – one of whom revealed itself as Trade Union Congress – are ready to plunge Nigeria and Nigerians into utter darkness and anarchy.”

The refinery accused PENGASSAN, TUC and their allies — including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) — of failing to account for workers’ contributions while allegedly funding “lavish and opulent lifestyles”.

“We only see the proof of these check-off dues’ payments in their lavish and opulent lifestyles. It is time Nigerians stood up against these enemies of progress,” the statement added.

Dangote refinery urged the federal government to resist what it called attempts by labour leaders to return the country to “the dark ages” of energy insecurity and industrial sabotage.

“Dangote Refinery is a national asset that requires our collective protection and prayers. To paraphrase the TUC Press Release, TUC and its cohorts, ‘regardless of size or wealth’ must not ‘be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of’ 230 million Nigerians,” the company said.

The refiner also challenged the unions to publish their financial records, saying that the workers on whose behalf they claim to act have a right to know how their monthly check-off dues are being managed.

On September 29, TUC called on the management of Dangote refinery to reverse the employment termination of “over 800 Nigerian employees”.

The directive comes amid a dispute between the refinery and PENGASSAN over mass dismissal of employees.

PENGASSAN, on September 26, instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissal.