NLC Pickets AEDC Over Mass Sack of Over 900 Workers
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday picketed the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over the controversial disengagement of about 900 workers.
NLC subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the company’s management to address the crisis or risk a total shutdown of operations across its major offices.
NLC Accuses AEDC of Deceit
President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, who led the labour movement, accused AEDC of carrying out the mass sack under false pretences, describing the exercise as “the height of deceit.”
Ajaero said the DisCo is setting a dangerous precedent in Nigeria’s already troubled power sector.
He stated that the crisis has been ongoing for approximately six months.
He disclosed that AEDC management had earlier deceived them by claiming that the disengagement would affect only workers who had reached retirement age or were on the verge of retiring.
The labour leader, however, disclosed that investigations by the union revealed a completely different reality.
“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.
“A 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 said.
According to him, AEDC had promised to revisit the exercise, but six months later, nothing has been done, despite repeated engagements through zonal consultative meetings.