The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the management of the Dangote Refinery to immediately reinstate workers recently sacked from the company, describing the action as unjust, insensitive, and a violation of labour rights. The union warned that it would not hesitate to mobilize its members for nationwide industrial action if the refinery fails to reverse what it termed a blatant abuse of workers’ welfare.
TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, in a statement issued on Sunday, expressed dismay that the country’s largest private sector employer could take such a decision at a time Nigerians are grappling with rising inflation, economic hardship, and job scarcity. He stressed that the refinery, being a project of national importance, should be seen as a source of hope for job creation rather than an avenue for mass layoffs.
According to him, the workers in question had been dedicated to the success of the multibillion-dollar refinery, and their sudden dismissal without due process contravenes Nigeria’s labour laws and international best practices. He said the TUC views the development as an attempt to intimidate and weaken the labour movement within the refinery.
Osifo further alleged that the retrenchment was targeted at unionized employees who had recently raised concerns over poor working conditions, safety standards, and unfair treatment within the refinery. He insisted that such an approach not only undermines freedom of association but also sets a dangerous precedent for other employers in the private sector.
The TUC boss reminded the management of Dangote Industries that Nigerian workers are not slaves and must be treated with dignity and fairness. He noted that the refinery project, which has attracted global attention, should also uphold global labour standards, warning that any attempt to silence workers through arbitrary dismissals would be resisted.
While reaffirming the union’s commitment to dialogue, Osifo maintained that the TUC would not hesitate to escalate its demands to the highest level, including picketing the refinery and shutting down operations across strategic sectors of the economy if the workers are not reinstated. He emphasized that protecting jobs remains a top priority for organized labour, especially in the face of worsening unemployment in the country.
The TUC, therefore, urged the federal government to intervene in the matter without delay, stressing that the refinery is too critical to the nation’s economic growth to be embroiled in labour disputes. The congress reiterated its resolve to defend the rights of Nigerian workers, insisting that justice, fairness, and respect for due process must guide the operations of all employers in the country.
