Peter Esele Urges Dialogue in Dangote-PENGASSAN Rift: ‘Refinery Must Function, Workers Must Unionise’

Former President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Peter Esele, has called for constructive dialogue between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, warning against actions that could be interpreted as economic sabotage if poorly handled.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Esele asserted that while workers have a constitutional right to unionise, Dangote management’s fears must also be acknowledged, stating that the relationship between the trade unions and the Dangote refinery is a symbiotic one, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit.

“Dangote has the right to set up its refinery. And Dangote’s refinery must also be allowed to function. Dangote’s refinery is a pride of this country, and also Dangote’s refinery has a big bomb,” Esele stated.

“And it’s also very disappointing that the Ministry of Labour really don’t have a tit to bite. So most times meetings are held in the Ministry of Labour, and you find out that nothing is done. So what you have is that PENGASSAN have just fainted in that aspect. So it’s my expectation that the DSS and hopefully the Ministry of Finance can find a conflict resolution mechanism around all of this to bring peace.”

Esele, who said he had spoken with PENGASSAN leaders, the refinery’s management and Aliko Dangote himself, stressed that “the relationship between the trade unions and the Dangote refinery is a symbiotic one, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit.”

Explaining the cause of the conflict, he said, “So when PENGASSAN received that, PENGASSAN will now write a letter to the management, informing the management that etc, are now members of PENGASSAN. So what you had was that these 800 workers were now people who are already enlisted to be members of PENGASSAN.

Then Dangote went ahead and carried out its reorganisation. Coincidentally, these 800 people were involved in this reorganisation. So that led PENGASSAN to say, no, this is more like victimisation and intimidation, and not wanting us to unionise your workers. So that is where the rift is.”

On the threat of strikes, he cautioned that the union would not rush into actions that hurt ordinary Nigerians, “As far as the issue of shutting down the country or wanting the ordinary man to suffer, I don’t think PENGASSAN will go that route immediately. There are various steps towards a strike action.”

Esele also criticised weak mediation by government, saying, “I’m happy that the coordinating minister for finance is on it. And it’s also very disappointing that the Ministry of Labour really don’t have a tit to bite. So most times meetings are held in the Ministry of Labour, and you find out that nothing is done. So what you have is that PENGASSAN have just fainted in that aspect. So it’s my expectation that the DSS and hopefully the Ministry of Finance can find a conflict resolution mechanism around all of this to bring peace.”

He urged both parties to engage in dialogue, “At the end of the day, is that people should be able to meet at the table and have a conversation. And there must be a doubt. Would there be disagreement? There would be disagreement. And let me also be very clear. It’s very difficult. Most management don’t want a union. And I also let them know that the union also needs to find out. Why would management not want a union to come in place?

Elese added that while PENGASSAN must be allowed to freely unionise Dangote’s workers, the company’s concerns about being held hostage by organised labour were also valid, he advised structured steps to avoid escalation. “The first thing I would advise is, first, that’s what they are doing now. Having this meeting, that’s number one. Number two is for PENGASSAN to be allowed to unionise workers in Dangote. Then, number three, Dangote’s fears also need to be allayed. Because Dangote’s fears is just that, oh, it can be held to ransom tomorrow. First, by NUPENG, and the second, by PENGASSAN. I also allay their fears that, hey, I don’t think PENGASSAN can condescend to that level of wanting to blackmail or to shut down the refineries.”

Esele stressed that most unions in Nigeria, despite their rhetoric, rarely follow through on threats to cripple vital infrastructure. “No matter how bloody a strike is, the national interest, we always consider that national interest. And I also believe these guys will consider those national interests.”

Erizia Rubyjeana

Source: Arise