PENGASSAN BACKS NUPENG IN DANAGOTE REFINERY WORKERS’ RIGHTS DISPUTE

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared its full solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing push for workers’ rights at the Dangote Refinery. PENGASSAN accused the management of the refinery of consistently resisting efforts by workers to unionise since its inception.

“We stand firmly in support of NUPENG’s call for the full unionisation of not just petroleum tanker drivers but all employees of the refinery and its allied companies,” PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, said in a statement. The union described the denial of employees’ rights to join recognised associations as unacceptable and warned that it would no longer be tolerated.

PENGASSAN noted that the demand for unionisation aligns with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and Nigerian labour laws guaranteeing workers’ rights to organise and bargain collectively. The association cautioned that if the situation remains unresolved, it would have no choice but to join NUPENG in shutting down refinery operations as a last resort to protect the rights and interests of its members.

“We urge stakeholders to embrace dialogue to prevent a wider industry crisis, warning that continued disregard for workers’ rights at Dangote Refinery could have far-reaching consequences for the oil and gas sector,” Okugbawa said. The union’s stance underscores the growing tensions between workers and management at the refinery, with PENGASSAN and NUPENG determined to fight for workers’ rights.