NLC orders nationwide mobilisation in PENGASSAN-Dangote dispute
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed all its affiliate unions across the country to mobilise immediately in response to the ongoing clash between PENGASSAN and Dangote Group.
The directive was issued in an internal memo signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, calling for a “full-scale, decisive engagement” against what the NLC describes as anti-labour practices by Dangote.
In the memo, Ajaero accused the Dangote management of dismissing hundreds of unionised workers and engaging in “union-busting” activities. He stated the conflict had grown beyond a dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote, affecting the labour movement at large.
The NLC called on its affiliates to mobilise members, resources, and to set up Action Mobilisation Committees in each union to coordinate the nationwide response.
Each committee is to liaise with the NLC national secretariat within 72 hours to harmonise logistics, strategy, and communication lines, the memo instructed.
READ ALSO: PENGASSAN orders gas supply cut to Dangote refinery
Further, the NLC demanded that Dangote respect worker rights, cease intimidation or victimisation of staff, and guard against interference in union affiliations.
The memo also accused Dangote of operating in disregard of Nigeria’s labour laws and constitutional guarantees, even alleging violation of International Labour Organisation conventions.
It labelled the company’s facilities as places of exploitation, where worker dignity is “systematically crushed” and profit is prioritised over labour rights.
According to the memo, this mobilisation is necessary to force Dangote to recognise and comply with legal and institutional labour frameworks.
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN has already initiated industrial action, ordering a halt to crude and gas supplies to the Dangote refinery and suspending services at key regulatory agencies.
READ ALSO: FG appeals to PENGASSAN over Dangote dispute, calls for truce meeting
Several government agencies, including NNPC, NUPRC, and NMDPRA, have remained shut in compliance with the union’s directive.
In reaction, Dangote described the union’s actions as unlawful, asserting the dismissals were part of a legitimate restructuring.
The corporation rejected the allegations of anti-labour behaviour and maintained that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed within its system.
Also, the National Industrial Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing PENGASSAN from halting crude and gas supplies to Dangote pending further court proceedings.
PENGASSAN, however, responded by saying it had not been formally served with the court order and continued to demand the unconditional reinstatement of the affected workers.
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