The Federal Government on Monday entered into talks with the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in a bid to forestall a looming nationwide strike.
The meeting, originally scheduled for 10:00 a.m., did not commence until 5:30 p.m. following the delayed arrival of union representatives.
It is being held at the conference room of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity.
Government officials say the dialogue is critical to averting industrial action that could worsen the country’s fragile economy.
NUPENG has accused the Dangote refinery and its affiliates of engaging in “crude and dangerous anti-union practices, a monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies.”
The union also alleged that the refinery pays some of the lowest wages in the sector and prevents drivers of imported CNG trucks from joining industry unions.
The union maintains that such recruitment practices contravene Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Labour Act, and International Labour Organisation conventions on the right to freedom of association.
Details are still emerging as the meeting continues