PENGASSAN Suspends Strike as Dangote Refinery Reinstates Workers After FG Mediation
The standoff rocking Nigeria’s oil and gas industry appears to have been resolved, PulseNets has learnt, following a breakthrough agreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery.
The union confirmed that it has suspended its two-day strike after the refinery consented to recall workers earlier dismissed for belonging to PENGASSAN. The development was obtained by PulseNets after a high-level meeting that lasted two days, Monday and Tuesday, with the Federal Government acting as mediator.
Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, while addressing both sides, stressed that “every employee has the legal right to unionise in line with Nigerian labour law and such rights must be respected.”
According to the communiqué sighted by PulseNets, three major resolutions were reached. First, Dangote Group agreed to begin the immediate reabsorption of affected staff across its subsidiaries without loss of pay. Second, both parties committed to ensuring that “no worker will be victimised for participating in the dispute.” Finally, PENGASSAN pledged to suspend the strike and end the industrial action.
The communiqué clearly stated that “the Dangote Group management will commence the process of redeploying disengaged workers to other companies under its umbrella with full retention of salaries and benefits.”
PENGASSAN officials told PulseNets that the suspension of the strike takes effect immediately and assured members that “no form of victimisation will follow as a result of this impasse.”
Also Read: Court Stops PENGASSAN, NNPCL, Others from Cutting Gas Supply to Dangote Refinery
Recall that on Sunday, PENGASSAN had directed its members nationwide to halt crude oil and gas supply to Dangote Refinery. The strike, PulseNets reported earlier, was triggered by the refinery’s dismissal of employees who voluntarily joined the union.
With this resolution, stakeholders believe stability may finally return to the oil and gas sector, at least for now.
