The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have criticised the Dangote refinery’s management for its treatment of workers, demanding that their right to freedom of association not be limited.

According to the unions, Dangote has moved to terminate employees who join PENGASSAN under the guise of reorganisation – with 800 workers allegedly made redundant recently after confirming membership – according to The Punch.

According to the chairman of TUC in Oyo State, Bosun Olabiyi, Dangote’s argument is untenable, with numerous other multinational oil corporations – including Shell, The Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPCL), Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), Total, Chevron, and Mobil – operating profitably with a unionised workforce.

“Dangote’s $20bn investment is significant, but it is not a licence to trample on constitutional and labour rights. Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association, while the Labour Act clearly mandates employers to remit union dues once workers freely subscribe. This is non-negotiable,” Olabiyi is quoted as saying.

The official also highlighted poor labour practises at the 650,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) plant, where senior employees allegedly make less than NGN150,000 ($101.24) despite working in dangerous conditions. Cases of worker deaths have also increased; however, compensation has been inadequate, Olabiyi claimed.

Furthermore, the union head also criticised Dangote’s alleged policy of sidelining local professionals in favour of expatriates for management positions and questioned why Nigerians were continuously excluded from key roles, according to The Punch.

“Dangote must recall all sacked workers and open the door for genuine dialogue. The right to collective bargaining cannot be negotiated away. Any employer attempting to sabotage established laws is an enemy of the nation,” Olabiyi said.

He further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes expanding infrastructure, power sector reform, and gas monetisation. Olabiyi said that any attempts to create unrest in the oil and gas sector by harming workers’ rights would be resisted.

In response to claims from PENGASSAN, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) called on the Association to direct its frustrations elsewhere by building a new refinery to help Nigerians.

The coalition, led by Danesi Momoh Prince and Igwe Ude-Umanta and made up of groups including the Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) and Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GoDDI), revealed their support for the plant in contrast with union positions.

“PENGASSAN members should leave Dangote Refinery alone and build their refineries if they want to protect the interest of their members,” the CSOs noted.