The Nigerian government has intervened in a labor dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, urging the union to suspend its planned nationwide strike. The appeal was made by Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
PENGASSAN had directed its members to withdraw their services from midnight on September 28, in protest against the alleged sack of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery. The union also accused the refinery’s management of anti-labour practices and discrimination against local employees. The strike action is expected to have significant implications for the country’s economy, which is heavily reliant on the petroleum sector.
In an effort to prevent the crisis from escalating, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated a reconciliation process. The Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations has invited the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend a conciliation meeting in the minister’s office on Monday. Dingyadi emphasized the importance of the petroleum sector to Nigeria’s economy and the potential consequences of a strike, including heavy revenue losses and hardship for citizens.
The minister appealed to both parties to be mindful of the sector’s significance and to work towards a peaceful resolution. He urged PENGASSAN to withdraw its strike declaration, allowing the government to mediate in a calm atmosphere. The planned strike has raised concerns about the potential impact on the country’s economic stability and national security.
The Dangote Refinery is a critical component of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and any disruption to its operations could have far-reaching consequences. The government’s intervention is aimed at preventing a crisis that could have significant economic and social implications. As the conciliation meeting is set to take place on Monday, all parties involved are expected to work towards finding a mutually beneficial solution to the dispute. The outcome of the meeting will be crucial in determining the next steps in resolving the labor dispute and preventing a potential strike.
