- To protest sacking of 900 workers
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has shut down the offices of Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger to protest the sacking of over 900 workers.
The DisCo’s headquarters in Abuja areas in the nation’s capital and other offices in Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states were under locks and keys as of Wednesday morning.
This comes a day after the NLC, led by its president Joe Ajaero, picketed AEDC’s headquarters over the controversial disengagement of about 900 workers.
Ajaero said the crisis dates back to about six months, when the AEDC management claimed that disengagement would affect only workers who had reached retirement age or were on the verge of retiring; however, the reverse was the case.
“At that time, the union intervened based on that understanding. No responsible labour leader would oppose the exit of workers who have legitimately reached retirement age.
“The majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. In fact, many had only worked for two to three years. That is the height of deceit,” he declared.
NLC, on Tuesday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AEDC management to resolve the matter or face escalated industrial action that could cripple electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory and three other states.
“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” he warned.