[ 2014-01-13 ]

Nigeria's Electricity workers to begin strike tomorrow
National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), on
Thursday, insisted on proceeding with its planned
nationwide strike from tomorrow, over the flagrant
abuse of human and trade union rights in the power
sector.

The group also frowned at what they called a
criminal silence by the Federal Government.

NUEE’ General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in
a world press conference organised by the union at
its headquarters in Lagos, also warned the buyers
of the 15 Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)
successor companies that unless the pension
deductions of the over 48,000 workers are paid,
the workers would embark on the strike.

Other demands by the group include settlement of
all collective agreement entered into with
government and workers are not settled, they would
have no choice than to go on strike.

He also advised the investors to stop all the
anti-workers activities in the sector, stressing
that all labour issues must resolved in the next
two day, or face industrial action.

He said “we reiterate our advice to the
Investors to ensure they do not fall into the trap
of the Government by abusing the workers’
right.

“This is so because we will not wish to allow
our labour over the years to go in vain. Please,
steer clear PHCN facilities until all labour
issues are resolved”, he said.

“We equally appeal to good people of Nigeria to
show understanding and bear with us, should we
decide to dance to this music being played by the
Government”, he added.

Ajaero, who alleged that the Government has
refused to settle labour issues in the power
sector said: “We are aware that all the CEOs of
the companies that bought PHCN facilities have
refused to allow unions”.

“We wish to advise the Investors not to fall
into the trap set up by the BPE and Government who
were not able to conclusively clear the
outstanding huddles in relation to outstanding
labour issues with the workers”, he added.

“Should the Investors watch and allow the
Government to conclusively sort out the
outstanding Labour issues with the workers, it
would be assumed that (Investors) they have
equally accepted to pay outstanding labour
Liabilities”.

“Therefore, they must be prepared to pay at the
gate of entry, every dime due the workers before
they are allowed in”, he affirmed.

Ajaero, who is also the current Deputy President
of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insisted that
for peace to reign in the power sector all
outstanding labour issues like the Payments of
terminal benefits: Payment of the terminal
benefits is yet to rise up to 50% for the eligible
workers, must be settled”.

“The Non-payment of Retirement Savings Fund to
Pension Fund Administrators (PFA), up till this
moment no efforts has been made to commence
payment, Non-Remittance of 2% of the Union
deductions as agreed: No word has been heard from
the BPE/Government on remittance of this 2%;
neither has the deductions already made from the
paid workers remitted to the Unions”, must be
settled.

Source - Nigeria I Daily Independent

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