The Federal Government has announced the resolution of the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group, paving the way for an end to the nationwide strike by oil workers.
In a statement released early Wednesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, said the agreement followed marathon negotiations between both parties.
According to the resolution, Dangote Group will redeploy the more than 800 workers recently laid off to other subsidiaries of the conglomerate without any loss of pay. The government also affirmed that unionisation remains a fundamental right of workers under Nigerian law and must be respected.
“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” the statement added. PENGASSAN has, in turn, agreed to commence the process of calling off its strike.
The talks were attended by key government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; and Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
