PHCN workers to resume work

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed protesting workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to resume work immediately.

This was arrived at after a meeting, which the Congress held with the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the government on Wednesday.

NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa said the congress has an agreement with the Federal Government to withdraw the armed soldiers it drafted to PHCN offices. But should government renege on the understanding to recall the troops from the offices before two weeks from today, the congress will support the NUEE in an indefinite strike, he added.

He however, explained that the workers were not on strike but deserted their duty posts because of fear of being molested by the armed soldiers.

He added, “The NLC had a meeting with the workers of the PHCN and their union and the leaders. And we have appealed to them to let the prayers come to an end today, and that whatever protest is going on, would end today. We made a promise to them that if they heed to our advice and call off the action, we shall ensure that the Federal Government addresses their primary concern within two weeks.

“We have done this in the interest of the Nigerian people, and the union has agreed. So as all PHCN workers return to their duty posts, we hope that government will keep to its own side of the agreement by ensuring that soldiers do not occupy their offices. So the PHCN workers will go back to work”.