The Federal Government has brokered peace in the face-off between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria. This comes after two days of conciliation meetings, and Nigerians have been reacting.
In a press statement issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, revealed that the matter was resolved following lengthy discussions.
According to him, Dangote Group has agreed to immediately start the process of redeploying sacked staff to other companies within its empire, with zero loss of pay.
He stated that PENGASSAN is currently working on calling off its strike after the Minister of Labour reemphasised that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with Nigerian laws.
“The Honourable Minister of Labour informed the meeting that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria, and this right should be respected.
After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately begin the process of redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.
No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.
PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike. Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith,” it read.
The government delegation at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Dingyadi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; and the Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
The disagreement started after PENGASSAN alleged that the Dangote Refinery engaged in mass transfers and sackings of union members, while also replacing some Nigerians with foreign nationals, accusations the company immediately denied.
The Federal Government eventually intervened over concerns about the impact of the dispute on the nation’s economy and energy security.
