PENGASSAN Suspends Strike As Dangote Refinery Recalls Workers

The tension in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has eased after the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) suspended its two-day industrial action against the Dangote Refinery.

The decision followed an agreement reached at the end of a two-day meeting between the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and the management of Dangote Refinery, held on Monday and Tuesday.

According to the communique issued after the meeting, the Dangote Group agreed to immediately begin the process of reabsorbing the workers who were dismissed for belonging to PENGASSAN.

“Reabsorption of Workers: The Dangote Group management will immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay,” the communique read.

The parties also resolved that no worker would be victimised over their role in the dispute.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, reminded both parties that workers’ rights to unionise must be respected.

“The right of workers to unionise in accordance with Nigerian law must be respected,” Dingyadi said.

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PENGASSAN to Call Off Strike

In line with the agreement, PENGASSAN confirmed that it had started the process of calling off the strike.

The union had on Sunday directed its members to cut crude oil and gas supply to the Dangote Refinery after the company dismissed workers who voluntarily joined the union.

The strike, which lasted two days, sparked fears of disruptions in the oil and gas sector. But Tuesday’s resolution has brought relief, with both sides committing to improved industrial harmony going forward.