By Bunmi Yekini
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos State Council, has condemned the mass dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery for allegedly joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Aladetan Abiodun, and Assistant Secretary, Veronica Egbukichi the union described the action as “a grave violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, labour laws, and international conventions.”
“We are appalled by this anti-worker behaviour and view it as an affront not only to the affected workers but to the entire Nigerian labour movement,” the statement read. “Joining a trade union is not a crime. It is a lawful act that must never be met with punishment.”
The TUC argued that the dismissals undermine Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Trade Unions Act, as well as international treaties such as ILO Conventions 87 and 98, all of which protect workers from retaliation for union membership.
Calling on the federal and Lagos State governments to act, the TUC urged the Minister of Labour to convene urgent talks between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN. “This is not the time for grandstanding or victimisation. This is the time for responsible dialogue,” it said.
The union also warned that the action threatens industrial peace, describing it as “immoral and economically reckless.”
“If allowed to stand, this action would create a dangerous precedent where workers in Nigeria are silenced and sacked for simply standing up for their rights,” TUC Lagos added.
Declaring solidarity with PENGASSAN and the dismissed workers, the TUC placed all its affiliates in Lagos on notice for possible mobilization. “We will not fold our arms while our rights are trampled upon in broad daylight. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the statement concluded.