PENGASSAN Suspends Strike as Dangote Refinery Agrees to Reabsorb Sacked Workers

Tensions in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have eased following an agreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery, leading to the suspension of a two-day industrial action.

The resolution came after a two-day meeting involving representatives from the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Refinery. A key outcome was the agreement by the refinery to reinstate workers previously dismissed for joining the union.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, emphasized the importance of respecting workers’ rights to unionize under Nigerian law.

According to the communique issued after the meeting, three major resolutions were reached:

• Immediate Reabsorption: Dangote Group will begin reintegrating the affected employees into roles within the company, ensuring no loss of pay.

• No Victimisation: Both parties agreed that no worker will face repercussions for their involvement in the dispute.

• Suspension of Strike: PENGASSAN confirmed it would begin the process of halting the strike action.

The strike, announced by PENGASSAN on Sunday, involved the shutdown of gas and crude supply to the refinery. It was launched in protest against the dismissal of workers who had joined the union voluntarily.