The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members to stop loading petroleum products nationwide from Monday, following a major dispute with the management of Dangote Refinery.
The union, in a statement jointly signed on Friday by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, accused the refinery of engaging in anti-labour practices that threaten the survival of its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch.
NUPENG expressed strong opposition to the reported stance of Dangote Refinery Chairman, Aliko Dangote, that drivers recruited to operate its fleet of 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks will not be permitted to join any trade union.
Describing the position as “an affront on the right of association,” NUPENG said the move violates provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and international labour conventions ratified by Nigeria.
The union called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) and (aa) of the PIA to prevent what it termed an abuse of dominant position in the downstream sector.
Citing Nigeria’s ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 on freedom of association since 1960, the union stressed that workers have the constitutional right to join unions of their choice without prior authorization.
“Any practice or policy by any employer that seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution,” the statement read.
NUPENG warned that unless the Federal Government intervenes, the dispute could escalate into another nationwide fuel crisis.
“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including well-meaning segments of the Nigerian society, to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order. If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law,” the union declared.
The statement read: “We call on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority, the Authority, for short, to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“The Authority has the responsibility to identify, investigate, and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices in midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“Nigeria is a member of the international community and a member state of the International Labour Organisation. Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948.
“This Convention had been ratified by Nigeria, as far back as 17th October 1960. Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorization of any employer or authority.
“Indeed, by virtue of section 254C (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, a ratified ILO Convention is a constitutional provision.
“Therefore, any practice or policy by any employer that seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution.
“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including well-meaning segments of the Nigerian society, to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order.
“They should be told to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law.”
