The federal government has appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its planned nationwide strike over the alleged mass sack of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery.
In a statement on Sunday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said the ministry had initiated steps to reconcile the union and the refinery’s management.
He confirmed that both parties had been invited to a conciliation meeting at his office on Monday.
PENGASSAN had directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services starting midnight on September 28, accusing the refinery of anti-labour practices and replacing more than 800 Nigerians with foreign workers.
The union said it considered the action unconstitutional and a violation of labour laws.
Dingyadi warned that an industrial action in the petroleum sector would cause revenue losses, hardship for Nigerians, and disruptions to national security.
He urged PENGASSAN to withdraw the strike declaration to allow for mediation in a peaceful atmosphere.
