NLC Declares Nationwide Strike Over Dangote vs PENGASSAN
- The NLC has told its affiliate unions to mobilise their members across the country for a nationwide strike
- Joe Ajaero, the president of the union, announced the strike in a memo concerning the strike of PENGASSAN against Dangote Refinery
- The labour union is accusing Dangote Group of making deliberate anti-worker moves and disregarding Nigeria's labour law
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions to fully mobilise for a nationwide strike against the Dangote Refinery. The union accused the Dangote Group of a “deliberate anti-worker crusade”, adding that it has a total disregard for the Labour Law in Nigeria.
The directive was contained in an internal memo signed by Comrade Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, on Monday, September 29. He said that the time for “pleading and fruitless dialogue” with the company was over and that it was time to take "a decisive and collective action."
Source: Twitter
The memo reads in part:
“The ongoing disputes with PENGASSAN and NUPENG are only symptoms of a deeper problem: a systemic anti-labour policy of union-busting, worker exploitation, and disregard for the rule of law that defines the Group’s industrial relations practices.”
Why PENGASSAN is fighting Dangote refinery
PENGASSAN had been at loggerheads with the Dangote refinery, alleging that the management sacked over 800 Nigerian workers.
On Monday, the union blocked the premises of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja. The development was in compliance with the directive of the PENGASSAN national executive committee for a nationwide industrial action.
The strike has led to a shutdown in the downstream oil sector, and there are reports that the shortage of gas supply may affect the country's electricity if the strike lasts longer than expected.
Obi speaks on PENGASSAN vs Dangote Refinery
Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential hopeful, has called on the federal government to immediately intervene in the dispute between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), saying that the situation has started having an "adverse effect" on Nigerians and the country's economy.
Obi, in a social media post on Monday, September 29, appealed for the immediate intervention of the federal government on the dispute between the union and the private company, Dangote.
He called for a win-win manner of protection of "the Nigerian people, Nigerian workers, Nigerian Investors and the Economy at large." He pointed out that the dispute between the union and Dangote has the potential to inflict problems on the Nigerian people.
Meanwhile, Vanguard reported that the federal government has stepped into the matter, talking to Dangote and the leadership of PENGASSAN. It was reported that the union did not have a turning back.
Source: Twitter
Group kicks against move to sell oil assets
Legit.ng earlier reported that the plan by the Nigerian government to sell critical oil assets has received pushback from Nigerians.
The National Rebirth Movement (NRM) has decried the planned sale of the assets by the government, labelling it as asset stripping.
The group disclosed that Nigerians will resist the move, kicking against the amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Source: Legit.ng
