As the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria [PENGASSAN] embarks on strike today in respect of its dispute with Dangote Refinery over the issue of its sacked members, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has called for responsible unionism in Nigeria that serves the interest of the masses than few individuals and personal interests.
Speaking through its National Coordinator Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim in a Press Statement released today, the Group said union or group interests must never be used to disrupt services to the Country’s citizens as such unilateral action is highly irresponsible and unpatriotic.
According to the Non-Governmental Organization which is committed to sustainance of peace, progress and stability of Nigeria among other objectives, it outrightly condemned PENGASSAN, TUC and other industrial and labour unions that participate in what illegal strike declared by PENGASSAN.
The Group described the action of the Unions as a direct afront on the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has been working hard on the growth of the Nation’s economy for the welfare of Nigerian Citizens.
The Muslim Media Watch Group also maintained that the action of PENGASSAN is highly provocative and unpatriotic as it is against Labour Laws.
It explained that issues regarding disagreement between any Labour or Industrial Union with anyone must be pursued in a responsible manner as laid-down in the Nigerian Labour Laws; adding that there are steps laid-down in any disagreement before resorting to strike.
These according to the Media Group include engaging Private or Public Organization concerned in a dialogue, which if unresolved could be forwarded to the National Industrial Court by any of the two parties – stating further the two parties have the responsibility to respect the verdict of the Court…
The Media Group is of the view that it is highly shameful that PENGASSAN that claimed to parade some intellectuals in its membership could descend so low as to call for strike without following due process.
Media Group posited that it is not new that Public or Private Organisations could carry out certain re-organization and rationalize its operation and called for illegal strike can never be solution to such a problem but roundtable discussion.
It charged the Federal Government not to treat this matter lightly but with seriousness by invoking relevant laws that deal with saboteurs and non state actors that use their powers to disrupt National Services especially oil, power and gas that deals with the survival of the Nation.
