Dangote Refinery offered to pay sacked workers five years’ salaries without work, but PENGASSAN rejected the plan, securing redeployment instead.
Fresh details have emerged from the negotiations between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the recent workers’ sack. Sources told Premium Times that Dangote offered to pay the affected workers’ full salaries for five years without requiring them to work, citing fears of possible sabotage. “Dangote offered to pay the sacked workers for five years to continue to stay in their homes… but they will not be allowed to go near the refinery,” a source said.
Government negotiators reportedly warned the proposal was too costly, but Dangote maintained it was safer than retaining untrusted staff. However, PENGASSAN rejected the plan, insisting instead on redeployment within the Dangote Group. General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa said, “The most important thing is that what did you agree? That’s what you will do.” The parties later reached an agreement ensuring no loss of pay, while PENGASSAN suspended its nationwide strike.