DANGOTE-REFINERY
PicNews
Dangote Refinery has terminated the employment of all its Nigerian workers, effective immediately, after they joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The decision was made as part of a “total re-organisation” of the plant, citing reported cases of sabotage in different units of the refinery. According to a memo signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the refinery’s management instructed affected employees to return all company property to their line managers and obtain exit clearance.
The finance department has been directed to calculate benefits and entitlements for the dismissed workers, in accordance with their employment terms. The development comes less than 24 hours after 90% of the staff joined PENGASSAN, with the union and the refinery embroiled in a trade dispute over unionization issues.
PENGASSAN’s president, Festus Osifo, has confirmed the sackings and assured that the company would reverse the decision. “Yes, it is true. We saw the letter late last night (Wednesday). I can assure you that they will recall all of them,” Osifo told Daily Post.
The mass termination of Nigerian workers is expected to have significant implications for the refinery’s operations and the broader oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Labor analysts warn that this move could spark further unrest among workers and unions nationwide, with implications for refinery operations and industry stability.
The incident highlights the fragile state of labor relations in Nigeria’s oil sector, particularly with the ongoing tensions between the refinery and PENGASSAN over unionization rights. All Nigerian workers at the refinery, reportedly around 90% of the workforce, or approximately 1,000 workers, have been affected.
The company claims the decision is part of a restructuring effort due to alleged sabotage. However, the union’s leadership is optimistic that the company will recall all sacked workers. The incident may spark wider unrest within Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce and has raised concerns about labor relations, workers’ rights, and unionization in the industry.
