Gabonese authorities have opened negotiations with oil and gas unions to avert a potential strike that could disrupt production in one of the country’s most strategic economic sectors, local media reported on Thursday.
The initiative follows instructions from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who has sought to mediate rising social tensions in the hydrocarbons sector. Unions representing private-sector workers had issued a strike notice, citing concerns over labour conditions and employment rules. Oil accounts for nearly half of Gabon’s public revenue and about 65 percent of exports, according to World Bank data for 2024.
President Oligui Nguema met union representatives on Wednesday, January 28, to review their demands and initiate dialogue. Discussions focused on labour regulations, including employment conditions, contractual arrangements, subcontracting practices, and dismissal procedures.
Following the meeting, the presidency announced additional consultations aimed at identifying solutions that could prevent a work stoppage. Further discussions were held on Friday, January 30, under the chairmanship of Vice President Hermann Immongault, resulting in the establishment of a negotiation timetable running through February 7. Meanwhile, unions have maintained their strike notice.
The government has for several months signaled intentions to revise labour arrangements in the hydrocarbons sector. Since October 2025, officials have indicated a desire to reduce job insecurity, strengthen oversight of subcontracting, and ensure stricter application of rules giving priority to Gabonese workers. However, no new binding regulatory framework or formal implementation timetable has been announced, leaving unions concerned about the pace and scope of reforms.
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The revival of the National Commission for Social Dialogue in Hydrocarbons has provided a formal platform for dialogue, bringing together state representatives, operating companies, and union organizations. Yet, challenges remain. In October 2025, Ecofin Agency reported that TotalEnergies EP Gabon, one of the sector’s major operators, failed to attend a session of the commission devoted to employment and subcontracting issues. Unions cited such absences as evidence of the persistent difficulties in building an inclusive and effective social dialogue.
Industry observers say the timing of the dispute is particularly sensitive, given the hydrocarbon sector’s contribution to Gabon’s fiscal stability and export earnings. Any prolonged disruption could affect public revenues, project timelines, and investor confidence in the country’s oil industry.
Labour representatives have called for concrete assurances on job security, adherence to national hiring policies, and clear timelines for addressing grievances. Government negotiators have indicated a willingness to engage, while emphasizing the need to maintain production continuity and uphold commitments to investors.
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Analysts note that Gabon’s oil sector is highly concentrated, with a limited number of operators controlling the majority of output. This concentration heightens the impact of labour disputes, as even short-term strikes can have disproportionate effects on overall production and export performance.
President Oligui Nguema’s proactive involvement in the talks reflects a broader strategy to maintain social stability in resource-dependent sectors. Officials hope that a negotiated settlement before February 7 will prevent disruptions while reinforcing mechanisms for ongoing dialogue between unions, companies, and the state.
The outcome of the negotiations is being closely monitored by regional and international stakeholders, including investors and development institutions, who have stressed the importance of stable labour relations in maintaining Gabon’s attractiveness as an oil-producing country.
As the deadline approaches, both sides appear committed to discussions, though unions have emphasized that the strike notice remains in effect until meaningful progress is achieved. Authorities face the dual challenge of balancing labour demands with operational continuity, highlighting the delicate nature of industrial relations in Gabon’s hydrocarbons sector.
