Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Pure Fuel Senior Employees Affiliation of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Commerce Union Congress (TUC) of prioritizing union dues over the welfare of staff within the ongoing industrial dispute with the corporate.
In a press release issued on Monday, the refinery stated the TUC acted “zombie-like” by declaring full solidarity with PENGASSAN and threatening a nationwide strike with out verifying the claims behind the motion.
The corporate alleged that the true motivation of each unions is the preservation of their monetary pursuits by way of month-to-month check-off dues reasonably than real concern for workers.
Dangote Refinery cited feedback by PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, who acknowledged throughout a media interview that the union demanded dues from the refinery barely a day after staff allegedly unionised.
The corporate argued that this proves the first focus of the unions is monetary achieve.
The assertion additional described PENGASSAN and TUC as “twins from the identical womb,” alleging that staff’ contributions are diverted to maintain the “lavish and opulent existence” of union leaders.
The refinery challenged the unions to publish their monetary data, stating that members have a proper to understand how their dues are being managed.
The corporate additionally accused the unions of threatening Nigeria’s power safety for private profit. “On account of those month-to-month check-off dues, PENGASSAN and its collaborators are able to plunge Nigeria and Nigerians into utter darkness and anarchy,” the refinery stated.
The dispute escalated after PENGASSAN, on September 26, directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the termination of greater than 800 Nigerian workers.
The TUC adopted on September 29, demanding reinstatement of the dismissed staff and threatening broader industrial motion.
Dangote Refinery urged the federal authorities to withstand what it described as makes an attempt by labour leaders to destabilize the nation’s power sector, calling the ability a “nationwide asset that requires collective safety.”