The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) has taken a swipe at former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, over his recent stance on the feud between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Refinery.

On Arise TV last Friday, the former NLC President had faulted the industrial action embarked on by PENGASSAN in its disagreement with the Dangote Refinery which resulted in a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities.

The lawmaker described the move as hasty and unfair to other workers.
Oshiomhole noted that while unions have the right to defend workers, they must do so in ways that do not create wider economic hardship.

“I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers.

“When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs.”

But responding in a statement signed by Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary, respectively of the NUPENG, they expressed disappointment in Senator Oshiomhole’s remarks which they described as a betrayal of Labour principles and a distortion of established laws.

“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed. His attempts to rationalize the victimization o f workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation o f Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.”

In the statement entitled, “Senator Adam Aliyu Oshiomhole Undistinguished anti- worker vitriol,” NUPENG accused Senator Oshiomhole of betraying the cause of Nigerian workers by closing his eyes to the sack of over 800 workers but chose to fault the method of shutdown of oil stations by PENGASSAN.

“Adams Oshiomhole’s criticism of PENGASSAN’s strike is an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia.

“Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN 2004 legally recognizes trade disputes, including industrial actions undertaken by workers in sympathy with another group.

“PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with their members in Dangote Refinery is, therefore, a protected legal action.

“The principle that “an injury to one is an injury to all” is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally.

“For some undistinguished Senators to now find this principle inconvenient only reveals a trading of once avowed class consciousness for a place among the oppressors. Senator Oshiomhole’s alarmist rhetoric about “harming the wider economy” is the same tired argument used by every anti-labour entity h e once fought against. It was a valid tactic when he led numerous strikes a s NLC President; i t remains valid today.

“Shockingly, this was a man that served several times in the Governing Council of ILO and in the Committee on Application of Standards that receives reports on violations o f Worker’s Rights across the world. It is unfortunate that Senator Adams Oshiomhole has, by his comments, demonstrated a monumental ignorance of trade unionism.

The unity displayed by PENGASSAN members and the solidarity they received (and continue to receive from other unions, nationally and internationally), are the twin pillars upon which the labour movement is built.”

While insisting that the former NLC stance amount to a betrayal of Nigerian workers, NUPENG declared that it would no longer partake in any Labour event in which Senator Oshiomhole would feature.

“In conclusion, the leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian Oil and Gas Workers for the undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 Engineers as punishment for exercising the fundamental right o f unionism.

“The practical effect of our declaring Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks o f oil and gas workers in Nigeria i s that henceforth, w e will not participate i n o r lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. The NLC, TUC and conscionable civil society organisations should kindly take notice.

“Oshiomhole’s denunciation and insensitivity to the plight of 800 Engineers and resistance to unionism in the Petroleum and gas sector is a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the

resolve o f the working class and strengthen the class enemy. NUPENG stands unwaveringly with PENGASSAN and the over 800 unjustly dismissed workers. “We will continue to deploy

every legal and industrial instrument available to us, in full compliance with Nigerian law and global labour standards, to secure justice.

“The Undistinguished position o f Adams Oshiomhole on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the Judais Iscariot of Nigerian Trade Unionism.

What a monumental betrayal of the cause of the working class! We advise Senator Adams Oshiomhole to retire from commenting on labour matters, a s he has irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers, and particularly oil and gas workers.”