The Nigeria Labour Movement, Oyo State Chapter, on Monday in Ibadan protested the alleged maltreatment of some workers of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company by its management.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NLM comprises of members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, National Union of Electricity Employees and NULGE.
NAN reports that the NLM was joined by the Campaign for Democracy and Workers’ Rights to picket the IBEDC office located at Iyana Adeoyo, Ibadan.
Among the demands of the protesters were stoppage of casualisation of workers, recall of sacked workers, stoppage of victimisation of labour leaders and payment of severance package to disengaged workers.
The Oyo State NLC Chairman, Bashiru Olanrewaju, said the union would not tolerate maltreatment of workers and urged the management of the company to address the agreement reached with workers.
“The gentlemen agreement the union had with the government and new investors should be honoured without delay,” he said.
The NLC boss vowed that the workers would return to the premises of the company on Thursday to continue their protest.
The NUEE Vice President (South-West), Dupe Akinola, said there had been no changes in electricity supply since the take over by the new investors.
He said: “The billing system is still very high and erratic power supply continues unabated. What then now is the benefit from the sale of the company?”
Akinola said that the protest was being carried out simultaneously in other zones of the federation.
The Public Affairs Officer of IBEDC, Tokunbo Peters, however, declined comment, saying that he had resigned from the company.
Efforts to speak with other management staff also proved abortive as they were said to be in a meeting. NAN
