TUC demands the recovery of 800 dangote refinery workers who are fired

The Nigerian Trade Union Congress (TUC) has demanded the recovery of 800 workers who were fired by the management of the Petrochemical Dangote refinery for trade union disputes.

Secretary General Tuc, Nuhu Toro, made a call on Monday while speaking at the Sunrise Daily channel.

He insisted that the refinery was a violation of the constitutional rights of his employees.

Toro said: “The dismissal of more than 800 workers for joining the passage is unacceptable. Unity is a right. We demand their direct recovery, followed by public apologies from the refinery management with a guarantee that such vikimization will not happen again.”

His statement followed the industrial action stated by the Nigerian Senior Oil and Gas Staff Association (Pengassan), which on Monday paralyzed operations at the Main Oil and Gas Regulatory Institute.

Also read: Lizzy Anjorin Refusing the Threat of Yabo Ojo’s Lawsuit, blaming colleagues for hostility

The strike follows the union resolution which accused the refineries of violating the Nigerian Labor Law and the International Labor Organization Convention by firing workers for using their rights to freedom of association.

However, Dangote Refinery rejected the claim of mass dismissal and alleged sabotage by several workers.

But Toro replied and accused management of avoiding the central edition of the rights of workers while denying the previous agreement not to sacrifice staff.

Secretary TUC also condemned what he called the special treatment of Indian expatriates over Nigerian employees, calling it “Economic oppression and modern slavery.”

Toro emphasized that TUC and Pengassan participated in a meeting with the Ministry of Manpower on September 8, but said the refinery failed to enforce its commitment.

He warned that organized labor would reject all efforts to hold the rights of workers, noteing that the previous union had supported the refineries during the challenges of their formation.

“Dangote enjoyed the support of the state and good intentions but must also respect the rights of Nigerian workers. We are ready to compromise in the interests of the nation, but we will not allow the work of slaves in this country,” he added.