The Federal Government has resolved the industrial dispute between the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN after two days of negotiations, securing commitments on workers’ rights, redeployment, and strike suspension.
The Federal Government has announced the resolution of the dispute between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), following two days of intensive conciliation meetings.
In a statement released early Wednesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed that both parties reached an agreement after lengthy discussions at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to the minister, “Unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria, and this right should be respected.” He added that Dangote Group agreed to redeploy all disengaged staff to other subsidiaries within the group without loss of pay.
“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” Dingyadi assured.
PENGASSAN, in turn, agreed to initiate steps to call off its strike.
The government’s delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Ministers of Finance, Budget, Labour, and State Security officials.
The rift began after PENGASSAN accused the refinery of unfair sackings and replacement of Nigerian staff with expatriates, claims the company denied.