Dangote, PENGASSAN End Dispute: Strike Suspended as Sacked Workers to be Reabsorbed

The industrial dispute that threatened to disrupt Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has concluded, with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) agreeing to suspend its two-day strike against Dangote Refinery. The resolution followed a two-day negotiation where the Dangote Group agreed to reabsorb the workers who had been dismissed for union activities.

The agreement was reached after reconciliation meetings held on Monday and Tuesday, mediated by the Federal Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Muhammad Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, was quoted as reminding both parties that “the right of workers to unionise in accordance with Nigerian law must be respected.” The strike had been a direct response to the Dangote Refinery’s decision to sack workers shortly after they voluntarily joined PENGASSAN.

Key Terms of the Agreement
The communique released after the meeting outlined three main points that led to the truce:

Reabsorption of Workers: The Dangote Group management will immediately begin the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Group. Crucially, the staff will be reabsorbed “with no loss of pay,” mitigating the financial impact of the dismissal.

No Victimisation: Both the union and the management agreed that “no worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse.” This provision ensures that the union members and those who participated in the strike are protected from future reprisals.

Strike Suspension: PENGASSAN confirmed it would “start the process of calling off the strike,” signaling an immediate end to the industrial action that had instructed members to cut off gas and crude supply to the refinery.

The resolution brings an end to the tension that began when PENGASSAN, on Sunday, announced a strike order in response to the sacking of its members by the refinery.