The OYO State Branch of the Nigerian Labor Conference held a protest on Tuesday, February 18 that stagnated operations of the Ibadan Electric Power Distribution Company.
The protest led by OYO State NLC Chairman Kayode Martin is a dissatisfaction with the recent rejection of more than 3,000 employees of IBEC.
Union members blocked the entrance to the IBEDC office, closed the facility and caused traffic disruptions amid challenges to the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
Protesters chanted the song of solidarity, demanding immediate resumption of fired workers and payment of the nation’s minimum wage.
Martin condemned the actions of outsourcing agents related to the IBEC, accusing them of exploiting workers through unpaid minimum wages and unexplained wage deductions.
“Today, we are here to express our total dissatisfaction with the injustice and inhumane treatment of workers by IBED and its outsourcing agents.
“There is no reasonable reason that more than 3,000 workers have entered the unemployment market. These people have devoted their time and energy to the company and now they are considered disposable,” Martin said.
The NLC chairman also highlighted the issue of unpaid minimum wages and exploited so-called exploitative workers through outsourcing companies.
“These outsourcing agents not only refuse to pay the minimum wage, but also pay arbitrary deductions from the workers’ salaries. This is unacceptable and we will not represent it,” he said.
The union has set up a list of seven key requirements to IBEDC management, including: “Implementing a new minimum wage, swift payment of retirement savings account (RSA) backlog, regularizing outsourcing of employees, ending the termination of employee union membership, providing appropriate and standard medical services, paying all outstanding allowances and compensation.”
Martin called on Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to intervene, warning that the massive layoffs of workers could have serious security implications for the state.
“We call on Governor Makinde and other well-meaning Nigerians to help us. The unemployment rate in the country is already shocking, and further increase it will only cause more problems, including security challenges,” he said.
The NLC chairman urged IBED management to engage in dialogue with the union to find a friendly solution to the problem before the situation escalates.
“We are not causing trouble here, but we are determined to fight for the rights of our members. We are ready for a conversation, but we will not back down until the requirements are met,” Martin said.
The protests have caused traffic congestion in the area, leaving many commuters in trouble.
