Brown Ogbeifun, a former president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has accused Dangote Refinery of treating its workers unfairly after the company reportedly sacked hundreds of employees.
He made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying that the company does not respect the dignity of its workers.
PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery have been in conflict for some time over the issue of allowing workers to join a union.
Ogbeifun questioned the timing of the mass layoff, suggesting that it happened just after issues around union membership were raised.
He said he heard that around 800 workers were sacked due to a restructuring at the refinery. He asked why this happened now, right after the workers tried to join a union. He also said that Dangote is known for not supporting union activities.
Ogbeifun explained that although employers can hire and fire workers, they must follow the right procedures and respect workers’ rights.
He added that workers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in today’s world.
Ogbeifun also said that this issue is not just about unions, but about treating people fairly and respecting human rights in business.
He criticized the Dangote Group for dominating different industries in Nigeria. He questioned why the company seems to push others out of business in areas like sugar and cement, warning against creating a monopoly.
His comments come during an ongoing dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery over workers trying to join a union and the recent firing of Nigerian staff.
PENGASSAN has called for a nationwide strike, accusing the company of treating workers badly.
However, Dangote Refinery denied these claims. The company said the layoffs were part of a restructuring meant to prevent sabotage, improve efficiency, and protect workers.
