The Nigerian Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), which refused to endorse the federal government’s announcement that its statewide strike against Dangote Refinery would be suspended, has distanced itself from the announcement.
According to reports, the union suspended its industrial action on Wednesday, October 1, following government involvement. However, the organization emphasized that its concerns over the well-being of over 800 laid-off employees were not adequately addressed.
Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, clarified during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 2, that the statement that was given following the negotiations was not an agreement between the parties.
We didn’t sign that communiqué, if you see. Three parties are often required to sign it. We didn’t sign because we didn’t agree with some of the contents,” Osifo stated.
He explained that the message was solely sent by the Minister of Labor and Employment, who served as the primary mediator in the dispute.
The union demands the reinstatement of workers.
According to Osifo, PENGASSAN’s main demand was for the disengaged employees to be reinstated.
“Dangote was completely wrong when he said that workers were undermining the economy. Had we permitted the sabotage tag to remain in effect, those 800 individuals would have been unable to obtain employment in the future. The stigma would never go away. He declared, “It was a huge victory to clear that.”
The union chief emphasized that the main goal was to enable its members to go back to work and support their families, rejecting claims that PENGASSAN’s struggle was about check-off dues.
Our stance is unambiguous: return the individuals to the refinery. He insisted, “That’s all we asked for.”
Parts of the oil and gas industry were said to be paralyzed by the strike, which started on Sunday. Union members were heard shouting solidarity songs as they blocked the NNPC headquarters and other regulatory bodies in Abuja.
The National Security Adviser and Mohammed Dingyadi, the Minister of Labor, mediated late-night negotiations as the Federal Government swiftly intervened.
Dingyadi affirmed at the conclusion of the negotiations that more than 800 disengaged employees will be transferred to Dangote Group entities without losing their jobs.
The minister declared that workers have a legal right to unionization. “No employee will face retaliation for taking part in the conflict.”
Dangote disputes Incorrect Behavior
According to Dangote Refinery, the reorganization was required for efficiency and safety, although they denied any wrongdoing.
Only a small portion of the company’s 3,000 Nigerian employees were impacted, it explained.
With a warning that the union’s activities could jeopardize the nation’s gasoline supply and earnings, the business stated, “No law grants PENGASSAN the right to cut off supplies.”
Additionally, the industrial face-off went to court. PENGASSAN is prohibited from carrying on with its strike by a seven-day interim injunction given by the National Industrial Court, which is seated in Abuja.
The hearing was scheduled for October 13 after Justice Emmanuel Subilim declared that further interruption would result in irreversible harm.
In spite of the order, Osifo threatened that if Dangote did not uphold the resolutions, the union was prepared to immediately resume the strike.
We always have our tools on hand in case Dangote fails to take the necessary action. We shall always be motivated to fight for what is right. We existed for half a century prior to the Dangote Refinery’s operation,” he said.
Recalling that Dangote was substituting foreigners for Nigerians, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) also backed PENGASSAN.
The impacted workers have our undivided support,” stated TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro. The rights of employees will not be violated by any firm.
