Among other welfare concerns, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company employees began an indefinite strike on Thursday over the failure to implement the new minimum wage, non-payment of pension and cooperative deductions, and the alleged termination of 17 employees.
Our correspondent visited the IBEDC office in Abeokuta’s Ogun Region on Thursday and observed workers milling about while the main gate remained locked.
Speaking on the incident, Abiodun Shobayo, the vice president of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Lagos/Ogun Zone, stated that following months of fruitless talks with the IBEDC management, the workers had no choice but to go on strike.
“We are here this morning to say enough is enough,” Shobayo stated. We have brought up these issues for approximately nine months, and the IBEDC management cannot continue to ignore us,” Shobayo stated.
“Our pension and cooperative deductions, which total billions of naira, have not been sent, for example. Workers have been spending their own money to distribute bills and address electrical problems, and we are not given any notice.
“The management claims there is not enough money and is not prepared to discuss or even implement the new minimum wage. Additionally, they have been firing employees arbitrarily and without following the proper procedures.
“We have stated that this cannot continue, and already seventeen of our members have been impacted. Despite our patience, it appears that the management has a secret objective. Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company recently let off 900 employees; we don’t want it to happen here.
“It is unacceptable that 70% of the employees here are casual personnel. Until management deems fit, this strike will continue indefinitely. All IBEDC franchise areas, including Kwara and Kogi, as well as the six South-West states, are impacted by the move.
Shobayo went on to say that before any talks to end the strike can start, the union wants that all unpaid entitlements be paid immediately and that fired employees be reinstated.