The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Council, on tuesday staged a protest at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) headquarters, demanding the reinstatement and payment of minimum wage for over 17 outsourced workers allegedly sacked by the company.
Led by Comrade Kayode Martins, the protesters barricaded the entrance of IBEDC’s office, insisting that the electricity company take responsibility for the affected workers. They also blocked major roads from Challenge to Dugbe, causing traffic disruptions and preventing motorists from using the route.
Comrade Martins decried the actions of outsourcing agents who, according to him, failed to pay workers the approved minimum wage while making unauthorized salary deductions.
He appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to intervene, warning that the mass dismissal of workers could pose a serious security threat to the state.
He urged IBEDC’s management to engage with the union to resolve the crisis before it escalates into a full-blown industrial dispute.
In their response, IBEDC management said “The management of lbadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) wishes to address the protest that took place today at our Head Office involving a group of former PIPLL staff.
“We would like to clarify that these individuals are not employees of IBEDC. IBEDC has engaged PIPLL to ensure a swift resolution of the İssue. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of staff welfare across our entire franchise.
“IBEDC did not sack anybody, it was the company PIPL that sacked some for reasons best known to them.”
The company assured that discussions with PIPLL were ongoing to ensure a “swift and amicable resolution” of the dispute.
