The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has temporarily suspended its nationwide strike following interventions by the Federal Government, while warning that any violation of the newly reached agreement will prompt an immediate return to industrial action.
The strike, which kicked off on Monday, was in response to the controversial dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery. PENGASSAN accused the company of targeting the workers for unionising under the association and subsequently replacing them with expatriates an allegation the refinery has refuted, citing internal restructuring as the reason for the layoffs.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo explained that the strike was being put on hold, not permanently ended, to give room for the government-mediated resolution to be implemented.
“Let me be clear — this is a suspension, not a cancellation,” Osifo said. “Should there be any violation of the agreement reached, we will not hesitate to resume the strike without notice.”
The breakthrough came after two days of intense negotiations with top government stakeholders, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the National Security Adviser, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies.
While part of the agreement reportedly includes the redeployment of some of the affected workers, Osifo said the union remains dissatisfied, as the resolution fell short of its primary demand: the full reinstatement of all 800 dismissed staff.
“We are disappointed that the agreement failed to secure the total recall of the sacked workers,” he said. “However, in recognition of the tireless efforts of the federal government and the mediators involved, we have chosen to temporarily stand down our action.”
Osifo also voiced concerns about the Dangote Group’s commitment to honouring the terms agreed upon during the negotiations.
“Dangote has a track record of not respecting agreements. While we are giving the benefit of the doubt in this instance, any breach will be met with a swift and decisive response,” he warned.
The union emphasized its readiness to reactivate the strike should there be any deviation from the agreed terms, stressing that it would not tolerate any form of backpedaling from the company.
