The House of Representatives has approved a resolution to protect strategic private investments in Nigeria from upcoming industrial actions following the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria’s (PENGASSAN) recent strike action.
Following a motion that Hon. and Hon. jointly sponsored, the resolution was adopted. Hon. and Ado Doguwa. On the House floor, Abdussamad Dasuki was presented.
The lawmakers claimed that the strike action allegedly violated the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act because the refinery is located within a Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Investments that are active within FTZs are subject to a 10-year no-strike rule under the Act.
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The House expressed concern that the most recent industrial action may have violated the NEPZA Act, and it expressed concern about the possible effects such disruptions might have on investor confidence and the nation’s economic outlook.
The lawmakers also made note of the financial losses made during the three-day strike and demanded that the Federal Government step in and ensure that such disputes are resolved without compromising important economic assets.
Additionally, the House pledged to work on policy frameworks that will stop future tragedies like those that have occurred, and asked its leadership to speak with stakeholders to address the growing concerns about labor actions affecting significant private sector investments.
PENGASSAN members started a strike last month in protest of the Dangote refinery’s management’s alleged illegal sacking of over 800 Nigerian workers.
PENGASSAN claimed that the refinery had violated international labor organization conventions and labor laws.
It claimed that “over 2, 000 Indians” were hired in place of the sacked employees, and that this action amounted to a retaliation against Nigerian workers.
Meanwhile, allegations of widespread sackings were refuted by the Dangote Refinery, which was put in place in May 2023.
Only a small number of the company’s 3, 000 Nigerian employees were affected, despite the company’s insistence that the restructuring was necessary for safety and efficiency.
Source: Channels TV
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