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Electricity workers to begin strike Tuesday

By on January 12, 2014

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), on Thursday, insisted on proceeding with its planned nationwide strike from next Tuesday, 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

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.

 
[Daily Independent]