September 29, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions to begin full mobilisation for a nationwide strike in protest against alleged anti-labour practices by the Dangote Group.
In a statement issued on Monday, NLC accused the company of intimidating workers, suppressing union activities, and violating Nigeria’s labour laws, including Section 40 of the Constitution and international conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on workers’ rights, which guarantees the right to association.
“For too long, the Dangote Group has operated like a state within a state, flouting Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, violating ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and treating our labour laws with contempt. Its facilities have become plantations of exploitation where workers’ dignity is deliberately crushed in pursuit of profit for a few. The time for pleading and fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now. All affiliate unions are hereby placed on immediate and full alert, begin vigorous and comprehensive unionisation of all workers within Dangote facilities under your jurisdiction. This is a strategic priority. The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built the Dangote empire; we will not allow it to become a monument to their oppression”, the union said.
To enforce its decision, the NLC directed each affiliate union to constitute an action mobilisation committee and report back to its national secretariat within 72 hours. It further stressed that “unity of purpose and action is non-negotiable” as workers prepare to confront what it described as “systematic exploitation and union-busting”.
The Congress also issued clear demands to the Dangote Group, including “Unconditional respect for workers’ right to freely join unions of their choice, an end to intimidation, victimisation, and union-busting activities, and full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and institutions.”
The unions, including PENGASSAN and NUPENG, have been at loggerheads with the Dangote Group over workers’ right to organise, alleging victimisation of staff and disregard for collective bargaining.
NLC warned that the industrial action would continue until the Dangote Group shows “unconditional respect” for workers’ rights and complies fully with labour laws.
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