NLC Threatens Showdown Over 89 Labourers Recruited for Dangote Refinery

Labour Union Raises Concerns Over Alleged Violation of Employment Laws

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to both the Lagos State Government and Dangote Refinery following reports of 89 unskilled laborers being brought from Katsina State to work at the company’s $28 billion facility in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

Security Concerns and Labour Law Violations

The NLC’s Lagos State chapter has condemned the recruitment, describing it as both a violation of labour laws and a potential security risk to the local community. The controversy began when a viral video showed the young men arriving by truck near the refinery premises.

While the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the legitimacy of the workers’ recruitment, stating they were hired as labourers for the refinery project, the NLC maintains strong objections.

NLC’s Strong Opposition

Comrade Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of NLC Lagos State, expressed serious concerns about the recruitment process: “The rule of engagement and labour rules have stated clearly that 70 per cent of those in the locality should be given the opportunity while 30 per cent can be given to those who have skills.”

Sessi questioned the rationale behind bringing workers from Katsina when unemployed youth exist in Lagos, asking: “Which kind of skills will they tell us that these people have that the young people who are unemployed in the locality don’t have?”

Call for Government Intervention

The labour leader has called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Federal Ministry of Labour to intervene, warning of potential labour unrest if the situation isn’t resolved. She threatened to escalate the matter to the national level of the NLC if Dangote Refinery doesn’t return the workers to northern facilities.

Dangote Refinery’s Response

In response to the allegations, a refinery spokesperson stated: “We did not know anything about them. They were brought in by one of our vendors working in the refinery… We are already investigating the matter.” The company emphasized that with a project of this scale, multiple vendors are involved in the workforce.

This development highlights ongoing tensions between major industrial projects and local employment expectations in Nigeria’s growing economy.

Credit to original source: The Citizen