The Federal Government has successfully mediated a resolution between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), ending a strike that posed a significant threat to the country’s fuel supply.
The agreement, reached on Wednesday after two days of high-stakes negotiations led by Labour and Employment Minister Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, ensures the reassignment of over 800 workers affected by a recent restructuring to other roles within the Dangote Group without loss of pay. In return, PENGASSAN has agreed to call off its industrial action and restore operations at the critical 650,000-barrels-per-day facility.
The dispute began on Monday when the union alleged that refinery management had dismissed members for joining PENGASSAN and were replacing Nigerian workers with expatriates, a claim the company denied, stating the restructuring was for efficiency and safety.
Minister Dingyadi emphasized the dispute’s significance, stating, “This matter touches the heart of our economy and national security.” The resulting communique reaffirmed workers’ legal right to unionize and barred the victimization of employees involved in the dispute.
The swift government intervention, which involved senior ministers and security officials, averted a potential nationwide fuel shortage. Both parties have expressed cautious optimism, with PENGASSAN pledging to “monitor compliance closely” and Dangote reiterating its commitment to a “Nigerian-first” employment policy.
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