The Dangote/PENGASSAN dispute is taking a turn for the worse as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliate unions to immediately commence mobilisation for industrial action against the Group.
This directive is contained in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, on Monday in Abuja.
The order follows a dispute between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the alleged sack of over 800 workers.
Ajaero said the directive was prompted by what the congress described as the Dangote Group’s “anti-worker crusade” against Nigerian workers.
He alleged that the conglomerate consistently violated Section 40 of the Constitution and ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which protect workers’ rights to association and unionisation.
According to him, affiliates are placed on full alert and must begin unionisation drives in all Dangote facilities within their areas of jurisdiction.
“The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with resistance. Each affiliate should establish an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC Secretariat within 72 hours,” Ajaero said.
He urged affiliates to mobilise resources and members for nationwide action, stressing that unity of purpose and collective resolve were non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, there is report that the Federal Government has convened a conciliatory meeting to prevent escalation of the dispute.
