Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk and other consumables, has re-opened its factory for normal work following the directive from the Ministry of Labour that the management and aggrieved workers return to status quo.

The management and the workers under the aegis of National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, have engaged in a protracted dispute over mean subsidy and annual increment since 2009.

The management had on Sunday shut down the company in what it said was to it said was to forestall any breakdown of law and order as well as to secure and protect lives, two days to end of a seven- day ultimatum by the union.

However, at a meeting with officials of the Lagos office of the Federal Ministry of Labour where the management reported the case, the ministry asked both parties to return to status quo and fixed another meeting where the issues in dispute would be looked at extensively.

Announcing the re-opening of the company, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head, Legal & Public Relations, said, “In light of the Union withdrawing their ultimatum and giving assurances with both parties undertaking to adhere strictly to dispute settlement procedures as enshrined in the procedural agreement and Trade Dispute Act 2004 and also on the advice of the Ministry, we decided to open the factory for normal work.”