Our Reporter, Abuja
Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged labour unions to exercise restraint in their industrial actions, warning that in trying to protect some workers, they must not endanger the livelihoods of many others.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Oshiomhole weighed in on the recent conflict between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, which led to a nationwide strike before it was suspended following government intervention.
The former Edo State governor emphasised that the right to unionisation is not only constitutional but also a “God-given right,” stressing that workers must be free to associate in pursuit of their collective interests.
However, he cautioned that such rights must be balanced with the rights of employers and the broader economic implications.
“Union business is basically based on fairness, as defined by them. But in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not risk the jobs of several other workers. The tools you deploy must not undermine other people’s livelihoods,” Oshiomhole said.
He criticised what he described as the “ease” with which PENGASSAN escalated its dispute with Dangote Refinery into a sector-wide shutdown, saying such actions had far-reaching consequences for the economy, including ordinary Nigerians.
Drawing from his years in labour leadership, Oshiomhole recalled that during disputes in the banking sector, unions under his leadership targeted only the offending institution rather than shutting down the entire industry.
On the relevance of labour unions today, Oshiomhole maintained that trade unions remain vital to productivity and industrial harmony, but noted that both the Ministry of Labour and the unions themselves have failed to enforce due process.
He lamented the growing prevalence of exploitative practices in the private sector, particularly the banking industry, where he said over 60% of workers operate as contract staff without job security or benefits. He accused banks of using proxy employment agencies—sometimes owned by their directors—to exploit workers under the guise of outsourcing.
“These practices must be stopped. Workers who look like bankers but are only contract staff cannot be thrown out without gratuity. It is illegal and immoral,” he said.
Oshiomhole also underscored the need for unions to support industrialisation and protect local investors, arguing that Dangote Refinery—still at an early stage of operation—deserved time to stabilise before being subjected to intense union pressure.
“Would you prefer a monopoly that creates jobs in Nigeria, than an importing monopoly, which NNPC became? Everywhere in the world, unions support industrial policies and encourage local investors. When they are established and begin to profit, then you organise their workers,” he explained.
He further faulted successive governments and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) for failing to revive state-owned refineries despite billions of dollars spent, insisting that unions should hold managers accountable for failed promises that threaten workers’ futures.
Oshiomhole concluded by warning that while union rights must be protected, they should be exercised responsibly and strategically, with sensitivity to national security and economic stability.
