The leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday failed to honour a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Government to avert a nationwide strike by oil workers.
Metrobusinessnews.com reports that the meeting, summoned by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, was scheduled to be held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
It was meant to address the lingering dispute between the union and the Dangote Group over alleged anti-union policies at the company’s refinery.
On Sunday, the Federal Government had appealed to NUPENG to shelve its strike, assuring that it had stepped in to mediate the matter.
The government also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the red alert it issued to affiliate unions in solidarity with petroleum workers.
The dispute centres on Dangote Group’s alleged policy against unionisation of its employees, a position NUPENG insists is unacceptable.
“No oil worker will work with Dangote Group without being unionised,” the union declared, accusing the company of pursuing an “anti-workers and anti-union agenda” designed to “enslave” employees rendering critical services in its refinery.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Patience Onuobia, the peace meeting was slated to commence by 10am at the Minister’s Conference Room.
However, by 2:30 pm, the session had yet to begin as NUPENG officials were still in Lagos coordinating strike mobilisation.
Sources within Labour House expressed frustration at the government’s handling of the crisis.
“That’s not how things are done. The government is not serious about handling critical issues. How can you allow them to declare strike first before looking for a way to resolve it? They had notified necessary quarters long ago,” one source told Daily Trust.
Another insider said it was unrealistic to expect the union’s representatives to fly into Abuja and immediately attend the meeting.
“Even if they will attend, not today. They have to settle down and meet the NLC leadership before anything,” the source added.
While journalists waited for the conciliation session, Minister Dingyadi was observed in a closed-door meeting with representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
