(Ecofin Agency) - In Gabon, Oil workers are expected to call off an industrial action at Maurel and Prom's Onal field today, after an agreement was reached to restore sacked personnel.

According to the agreement, the oil workers' union will end their strike action and resume work from 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The strike, which began on October 17, 2016 was as a result of workers who were dismissed for missing work during the unrest which occurred after a presidential election last month.

The action had reduced production from the Onal field to 10,000 barrels per day from usual 28,000 bpd, the oil ministry said last week. The document signed between the company, the labour ministry and the ONEP oil workers union, said the staff would no longer be laid off.

Onal onshore field is situated 80 km South of Lambarene and 170 km East of Port-Gentil.

Violence broke out in Gabon when the opposition suspected electoral fraud after results from an August 27 poll offered a slight victory to President Ali Bongo, Reuters reports.

The OPEC member is Africa's fourth largest oil producer, with an output of about 220,000 barrels per day controlled by international oil majors Total and Royal Dutch Shell.

Anita Fatunji