The Federal Government has successfully brokered a deal resolving the two-day standoff between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The resolution will see the immediate re-engagement of all sacked Dangote refinery staff to other subsidiaries within the Dangote Group with no loss of pay, while PENGASSAN simultaneously begins the process of calling off its planned strike.
The breakthrough was announced in a statement released early Wednesday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, following two days of intense negotiation sessions.
According to the Minister, the core of the resolution centered on the workers’ right to unionize and the procedure for the recent disengagements.
“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,” the statement read.
Key Agreements Reached
Following a review of the matter, the key agreements reached by all parties includes, the re-engagement of Staff: The management of the Dangote Group will immediately begin the process of redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the conglomerate, ensuring there is no loss of pay for the affected workers.
Upon that development, PENGASSAN has agreed to start the process of calling off the strike that was prompted by the initial sackings. Both sides agreed that no worker will be victimized for their role in the impasse between the company and the union.
The statement concluded that both the Dangote Group and PENGASSAN agreed to the understanding in good faith.
The government delegation that mediated the talks was a high-powered team, including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Atiku Bagudu and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, alongside the Ministers of Labour. Also in attendance were the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
