NUPENG ends strike after successful negotiation meeting between government delegates, union leaders
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its industrial action following a truce between the Federal Government, oil industry stakeholders, and organised labour.
Sources indicate that the resolution followed a high-level meeting held in Abuja, which was attended by key government officials, representatives of Dangote Refinery, and leaders of major trade unions.
Those in attendance included the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Dangote Refinery delegation led by Alhaji Sayyu Dantata.
Also present were labour leaders: Mr Akpouha Williams of NUPENG, Mr Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Dr NA Toto, mni+, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Following extensive deliberations, both parties agreed to uphold existing labour laws, emphasizing that employees should not be coerced into joining any union and retaining the freedom to affiliate with or decline membership of any labour body.
Other contentious issues were also resolved, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by all stakeholders. This agreement led to the immediate suspension of NUPENG’s strike action, which had threatened to disrupt petroleum supply and distribution nationwide.
Government officials hailed the outcome as a significant step towards industrial peace, while labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting workers’ rights within the boundaries of the law.
