Nigerian workers have accused Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group of ordering their arrests for joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN.
The workers said the incident happened at Dangote Refinery.
This was disclosed in a letter signed by Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary of the Branch, Abdulfaitai Muhammed and Eseoghene Choice, to the zonal chairman PENGASSAN Lagos Zone.
According to the embattled workers, Aliko Dangote instructed his company’s security to not allow Nigerian workers, except Indians and Pakistanis, entrance into the refinery.
The workers said in quick succession they received an email from the company for withdrawal of staff buses.
Also, the workers said at about 9:50 pm on Wednesday, they received an email of mass appointments termination by the management of Dangote Refinery.
The workers said Dangote also gave a directive to the company’s security department to arrest and detain them.
The workers said these treatments meted on them came after they voluntarily joined PENGASSAN as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution.
Consequently, the workers described Dangote’s actions as direct violation of Section 40 of the 1990 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of assembly and association.
“Management physically attempted to verify whether staff voluntarily consented to join PENGASSAN by circulating a list for staff to confirm their membership.
“A meeting was held with members, during which they were asked to indicate their membership in PENGANSSAN. Overwhelmingly, staff at the Refinery affirmed “YES”.
“At about 5:00 p.m., we received information that management sent a directive that all shift buses were “under maintenance”, and that workers should use their personal funds for transportation to work.
“Members had to spend up to 4,000 to report to duty. Despite this provocation, our members were calm and non-confrontational, and still made sacrifices to ensure they were present at work.
“Later in the evening, between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. today, staff who had joined PENGASSAN were denied entry into the refinery and were informed that it was on the orders of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and only expatriates (Indians, Pakistanis and other nationals) were permitted to enter.
“At about 9:59 pm today, workers received a mass termination email. The termination letter was addressed to “All Staff” of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE”
“Targeted Intimidation of Union Leaders: We intercepted an internal directive to the security department ordering the arrest and detention of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman by the GM-Human Asset Management (see attached).
“This is a direct act of intimidation against a union leader.
“There are indications that further dismissals will be communicated tomorrow (Friday), deepening the attack on workers’ rights and union activities.
“These actions by Alhaji Aliko Dangote are in direct violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freely assemble and associate, including forming or belonging to a trade union for the protection of their interests.
“These events clearly amount to targeted intimidation and victimisation of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association. The Caretaker Committee remains committed to the struggle and seeks urgent intervention and guidance from the leadership,” the letter stated.
Recall that Dangote Refinery, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the mass appointments termination.
This comes hours after DAILY POST reported that the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery sacked Nigerian workers over their membership in PENGASSAN.
Reacting, PENGASSAN president, Festus Osifo, has vowed that the sacked workers will be recalled by the company.
PENGASSAN had summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting over the matter.
