The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday shut down the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office in protest against the recent mass sacking of over 3,000 workers and the company’s failure to implement the newly approved minimum wage.
Led by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martin, the protesters barricaded the entrance of IBEDC’s headquarters in Ibadan, demanding the reinstatement of affected workers and full compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s wage policy.
During the demonstration, Comrade Martin criticized outsourcing agents for denying workers their rightful earnings and making unjust salary deductions. He warned that IBEDC’s failure to adopt the new wage structure could worsen the economic difficulties faced by employees.
He further urged Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to intervene, stressing that the dismissal of thousands of workers could contribute to rising insecurity in the state. Martin also called on IBEDC’s management to engage in dialogue with the union to prevent the situation from escalating into a larger industrial dispute.
The protest caused significant disruptions, as demonstrators blocked the Challenge-Dugbe road in Ibadan, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
The NLC presented seven key demands, including:
– Full implementation of the new minimum wage
– Immediate payment of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) backlogs
– Regularization of outsourced staff
– Recognition of union membership for all employees
– Provision of adequate and standard healthcare services
– Settlement of all outstanding allowances
– Payment of due compensations
This protest comes amid growing concerns over the enforcement of the new wage policy, as labor unions continue to push for its implementation across all sectors.
Earlier this month, a similar situation occurred at Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (Kaduna Electric), where 900 employees were laid off. According to reports, the company paid only 10% of the affected workers’ entitlements, prompting the declaration of an indefinite strike.
The situation at IBEDC highlights ongoing tensions between labor unions and companies over worker welfare, and the outcome of this standoff remains uncertain as negotiations are yet to commence.
