The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members across the country to withdraw their services from 6 p.m. today, following the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery.
The directive was contained in a circular issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting, signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Lumumba Okugbawa.
PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by allegedly sacking workers for joining the union.
It further claimed that the dismissed staff were replaced with more than 2,000 Indian nationals, describing the move as an affront to Nigerian workers.
The union instructed members in field locations to down tools immediately and announced a nationwide shutdown across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies from tomorrow.
PENGASSAN also declared a 24-hour prayer vigil and called for urgent government intervention, stressing that the strike would continue until the sacked workers are reinstated.
Written by Gladys Haruna