The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliate unions to begin immediate mobilisation for a possible nationwide strike against the Dangote Group over the dismissal of workers at its refinery.
The directive, contained in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, on Monday, followed a dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) regarding the alleged termination of more than 800 employees.
Ajaero said the order was prompted by what the congress described as the company’s “anti-worker crusade,” alleging persistent violations of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which safeguard freedom of association and unionisation.
According to the memo, affiliates have been placed on full alert and instructed to launch unionisation drives across all Dangote facilities within their jurisdictions.
“The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with resistance. Each affiliate should establish an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC Secretariat within 72 hours,” Ajaero directed.
He further urged affiliates to mobilise members and resources for nationwide action, stressing that unity and collective resolve were “non-negotiable” in defending workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has convened a conciliatory meeting aimed at averting escalation of the dispute.
