Nigerian power sector workers have served the management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, DisCo, a 14-day strike notice over unremitted deducted pension, among other issues.
The workers threatened to shut down the distribution company’s activities under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) if the management did not act accordingly.
General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, denounced management’s persistent refusal to remit third party deductions and its flagrant disregard for agreements reached with the union on this and other unresolved labour issues in a petition to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, and copied the Director-General, Directorate of State Service, DSS.
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Recall that the committee constituted to establish the outstanding payment owed staff in KEDCO which recommended payment plan within four months, submitted its report via a document dated 21st January, 2022.
“At a meeting held on 30th March, 2022 between the Union and KEDCO management over delay in implementing the report of the committee highlighted above alongside promotion related- issues, management made a promise to commence payment without delay.
“Again, KEDCO management failed to live up to its agreement to commence payment of third party deduction and effect payment of new salaries to promoted staff without delay, the union expressed its displeasure via memo NUEE/ZOS/KD/2022/170 dated 15th April, 2022.
“You will recall also that an emergency meeting which coincided with the visit of the national officers of the union was held on 21st April, 2022 where you promised to pay, yet to no avail.
“Still in the spirit of having industrial harmony and understanding, officials of the union led by the Vice-President (North/West) reached out to the CCSO on 1st June, 2022 to address these issues; management promised to ensure payment as soon as the CFO returns from an official trip to Abuja.
“Unfortunately, it appears that the CFO has refused to return from Abuja as about 12 months’ union dues, 12 months’ staff cooperative, 56 months’ contributory pension arrears just to mention a few, have not been remitted and other labour issues unaddressed till date.” The committee stated.
