The Dangote Refinery Dispute: A Conflict Over Unionization and Redeployment
The recent controversy surrounding the Dangote refinery has sparked a heated debate about workers’ rights, unionization, and corporate policies. Several engineers who were reportedly dismissed by the Dangote refinery for allegedly joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have expressed their concerns over the company’s plan to redeploy them to other business units within the Dangote Group, including sugar and cement plants.
According to the engineers, who spoke with our correspondent anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, the company is engaging in what they perceive as victimization. They claim that their employment contracts specifically mention their role at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, not the broader Dangote Group. This, they argue, makes the redeployment unfair and potentially harmful to their professional development.
The Company’s Response
In response to these allegations, the Dangote media team refuted the claims, stating that PENGASSAN members are still working within the refinery. The company also clarified that the dismissals were not related to union membership but rather to acts of sabotage. A senior official from the Dangote Group explained that while some staff were removed, this was not an act of discrimination or retaliation against union activities.
“We have PENGASSAN members still working with us. Those guys were sacked because of their acts of sabotage. Nobody is victimising them,” the official stated. He also denied the claim that engineers were paid less than N400,000 per month, calling it a falsehood.
The Impact on Workers and Operations
The dispute began when PENGASSAN shut down oil and gas facilities for several days last week, protesting the alleged firing of 800 refinery workers for joining the union. This led to significant disruptions in oil and gas production and power generation across the country. The Federal Government eventually intervened to restore stability, urging the Dangote Group to redeploy the affected workers.
Despite this, the engineers claim they have yet to be recalled or redeployed. Some sources within the Dangote Group indicated that the company plans to move the engineers to its sugar and cement plants. However, the workers have expressed dissatisfaction with this development, arguing that such a move would be detrimental to their careers and personal well-being.
The Psychological Toll
The engineers described the situation as psychologically challenging. “It is like victimisation. Some of us are petrochemical engineers; how do you want them to cope? It is affecting some of us psychologically,” one worker said.
They also pointed out that they have been sitting at home since September 25, after receiving a letter from the company indicating that all staff were being let go. However, the company later claimed only a few workers were fired for sabotage, and the rest were asked to stay away pending redeployment.
The Role of the Union
The engineers revealed that they joined PENGASSAN after the Dangote management announced that workers were free to unionize. “We wouldn’t have joined PENGASSAN if we were well paid. Our salary is around N400,000, and after deductions, it falls below that,” they said.
They also emphasized their commitment to the $20 billion refinery, stating that they would never sabotage a facility they helped build. “We love the refinery. Some of us built it from the beginning. How can we sabotage what we built?” one engineer asked.
Broader Implications
The crisis escalated further when PENGASSAN halted crude and gas supplies, leading to nationwide fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations. While government mediation eased tensions, stakeholders are still waiting for the implementation of agreements reached during the conciliation meeting.
On Tuesday, prominent Nigerians, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, Bishop Mathew Kukah, and Aisha Yesufu, voiced their support for Dangote, warning union leaders against actions that could deter investors.
Ongoing Tensions
As the situation continues to unfold, the engineers remain hopeful for a resolution. They insist that their only “crime” was joining PENGASSAN, and they believe they are innocent of any wrongdoing. For now, they are waiting for their posting letters and hoping that the issue will be resolved soon.
