The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State halted operations at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Tuesday in protest against the recent dismissal of over 3,000 employees.
The protest, led by NLC Chairman Kayode Martin, saw union members blocking the entrance to the IBEDC office, effectively shutting it down. The demonstration also caused heavy traffic congestion in the Challenge to Dugbe area of Ibadan, affecting commuters and businesses.
During the protest, workers chanted solidarity songs and held up placards demanding the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues. They also called for the full implementation of the national minimum wage, which they claimed had been denied to many employees.
Martin strongly criticized IBEDC’s outsourcing agents, accusing them of exploiting workers through unfair labor practices. He alleged that many employees had been subjected to salary deductions without clear explanations and had not received the legal minimum wage.
“We are here today to express our total displeasure over the unjust and inhumane treatment of workers by IBEDC and their outsourcing agents. Over 3,000 workers have been thrown into the unemployment market without any justifiable reason. These are people who have dedicated their time and energy to this company, and they are now being treated like disposable items,” Martin said.
The NLC also presented a list of seven key demands to IBEDC management. These included implementing the new minimum wage, clearing outstanding payments in workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA), and regularizing the employment status of outsourced staff. Other demands involved granting workers the right to join unions, improving healthcare services, and ensuring the payment of all outstanding allowances and compensations.
Martin urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to intervene in the crisis, warning that such large-scale job losses could worsen the state’s already high unemployment rate and contribute to security problems.
“We are calling on Governor Makinde and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid. The rate of unemployment in the country is already alarming, and further adding to it will only create more problems, including security challenges,” he cautioned.
He also called on IBEDC management to engage in dialogue with the union to resolve the dispute peacefully.
“We are not here to cause trouble, but we are determined to fight for the rights of our members. We are ready for dialogue, but we will not back down until our demands are met,” Martin stated.
