The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned Vice President Kashim Shettima’s stance on the ongoing crisis between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). NLC President Joe Ajaero described the Vice President’s statement as prioritizing the interests of the refinery over the welfare of Nigerian workers.
On the occasion of World Day for Decent Work, the NLC reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of Nigerian workers and promoting decent work principles. The organization expressed concern that the government’s support for the Dangote Refinery at the expense of workers was “greedy” and undermined the rule of law.
The NLC alleged that the Dangote Group had violated the rights of its workers to freedom of association and the right to join the trade union of their choice, guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international labor conventions. The organization rejected the Vice President’s statement that the Dangote Group was a “national asset” and should be exempt from obeying labor laws, calling it a “national tragedy” and an affront to the rule of law.
The NLC demanded that all entities operating in Nigeria comply with the country’s industrial relations laws, including recognizing trade unions and protecting workers’ rights. The organization called for an end to the “sacred cow syndrome” and urged the government to demonstrate its commitment to protecting workers’ rights through decisive action.
The crisis between the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN highlights the challenges faced by workers in Nigeria and the need for stronger enforcement of labor laws. The NLC’s stance emphasizes the importance of promoting decent work principles and protecting the rights of workers in the country.
The NLC also demanded the creation of robust enforcement frameworks to guarantee compliance with labor laws and reduce decent work gaps in Nigerian workplaces. The organization called for the strengthening of labor administration institutions to ensure ruthless enforcement of compliance with all laws governing industrial relations.
In a statement, the NLC emphasized that no company, regardless of its size or connections, can operate outside the law or be bigger than Nigeria. The organization warned that encouraging lawlessness and impunity would undermine the country’s institutions and embolden the forces of exploitation. The NLC’s position reinforces the need for a fair and just labor environment in Nigeria, where workers’ rights are protected and decent work principles are upheld.