IBEDC Defies Labour Ministry’s Directive As NLC Threatens Industrial Action Over Refusal to Re-instate Sacked Staff

…As NLC Demands Justice for 3,000 Sacked Workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has walked away from a meeting with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its outsourcing company, PIPLL, over the unfair retrenchment of over 3,000 staff.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment office in Ibadan, aimed to resolve the crisis surrounding the sacking of electricity staff while requesting an increment in their monthly payment.

In a previous meeting on February 26, 2024, the representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment directed IBEDC to reinstate its sacked staff. However, the company refused to comply with this directive.

According to Comrade Kayode Martin, Chairman of the NLC in Oyo State, the meeting was called to resolve the impasse and allow the sacked staff to be reinstated. He noted that IBEDC refused to comply with the Ministry’s directive and was unwilling to negotiate.

Comrade Martin emphasized that the Labour Congress is prepared to take action against the electricity company to protect the rights of the sacked staff. He called on the relevant authorities to intervene and support the affected workers.

The NLC chairman promised that the organization would meet the following day to decide on the next course of action and map out strategies to rescue the sacked staff from unfair retrenchment.

In his remarks, Mr. Festus Igbinosun, Oyo State Comptroller of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, advised all parties involved to maintain the status quo. He called for a more robust meeting to resolve the matter peacefully.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to IBEDC to renegotiate the recent sack of 3,000 workers.

However, it appears that the company has failed to comply with this directive.

The NLC’s decision to walk away from the meeting indicates a breakdown in negotiations between the parties involved. This development may lead to further industrial action and protests.