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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has pledged support for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its campaign to unionise tanker drivers and all employees of the Dangote Refinery and its subsidiaries.
NUPENG had earlier announced plans to halt fuel loading starting today, citing claims that the refinery intends to prevent drivers hired for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.
In a statement on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, expressed the association’s “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG in the struggle to protect workers’ rights at the refinery.
The senior staff union warned that it could resort to drastic measures if the issue is not addressed. “If this situation continues unresolved, PENGASSAN will have no choice but to join in shutting down refinery operations as a last resort to safeguard our members’ rights and interests,” the statement read.
PENGASSAN accused the refinery management of consistently resisting unionisation since its inception, despite several attempts at dialogue. The association stressed that it would no longer tolerate the denial of workers’ rights to unionise, insisting that NUPENG’s demand for full unionisation aligns with International Labour Organisation standards and Nigerian labour laws.
According to PENGASSAN, workers’ rights to organise and bargain collectively are fundamental to ensuring fairness, workplace safety, and dignity. It called for urgent dialogue among stakeholders to prevent industrial disruption, warning that ignoring union rights could have industry-wide consequences.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to stand by NUPENG, stating: “In unity, we champion the rights of all workers and support NUPENG in this crucial mission toward a just and equitable labour environment at Dangote Refinery.”
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Muhammadu Dingyadi has convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to resolve the crisis.
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