The Federal Government has stopped the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from holding strikes or any industrial action at the Dangote Refinery, citing the Free Trade Zone regulations.
The decision was announced by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in Abuja through its Managing Director, Olufemi Ogunyemi. The agency explained that under the Free Trade Zone Act, no strike or lockout is allowed for ten years from the start of operations within any zone.
The NEPZA boss said that any labour dispute within such zones must be settled by the Authority. He described PENGASSAN’s recent shutdown of oil and gas facilities as unlawful under the Free Trade Zone framework, as Dangote Refinery operates within that jurisdiction.
The Authority stated that while workers in free zones are permitted to form or join unions and engage in collective bargaining, industrial actions are suspended during the 10-year exemption period.Ogunyemi added that the refinery continues to receive tax reliefs and customs waivers to encourage investment and boost economic growth.
PENGASSAN had declared a strike earlier in the month to protest the mass dismissal of Nigerian workers at the refinery. The industrial action lasted two days before being called off following government intervention and a resolution between the union and Dangote Refinery management.
While NEPZA maintains that strikes are not allowed within the free zone, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution still recognizes the right of workers to protest under Section 40.