In a move that has stirred controversy, the management of Dangote Refinery has reportedly terminated the employment of all Nigerian workers barely 24 hours after they joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The decision was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, citing “reorganization” and alleged cases of sabotage as the reasons behind the mass dismissal.
“In view of the many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns, the management is constrained to carry out a total reorganization of the plant,” the letter stated.
Affected workers were directed to surrender all company property in their possession to their line managers and await further instructions on exit clearance procedures. The finance department has been instructed to compute the entitlements of the disengaged employees in line with their contracts, subject to the completion of exit clearance formalities.
While thanking the workers for their services, the refinery management maintained that the action was necessary to protect operations and ensure safety.
The development comes amid growing tension between organized labor and private sector employers in the oil and gas industry, raising concerns about industrial relations at Africa’s largest refinery.
