Kehinde Fajobi
The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a large protest on Tuesday, February 18, halting activities at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The protest was sparked by the recent dismissal of over 3,000 employees, with union members led by Chairman Kayode Martin blocking the office entrance and causing traffic disruptions in the Challenge to Dugbe area of Ibadan.
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters demanded the immediate reinstatement of the fired workers and the payment of the national minimum wage.
Martin condemned the actions of outsourcing agents tied to IBEDC, accusing them of exploiting workers by failing to pay minimum wages and making unjustified salary deductions.
“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.
He also criticised the outsourcing agents for withholding the minimum wage and making arbitrary salary deductions, calling the situation unacceptable.
“These outsourcing agents are not only refusing to pay the minimum wage, but they are also making arbitrary deductions from the meagre salaries of the workers. This is unacceptable, and we will not stand for it,” Martin added.
The NLC presented a list of seven demands, including the implementation of the new minimum wage, payment of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) backlogs, regularisation of outsourced staff, and provision of adequate healthcare services.
Martin appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene, warning that the mass dismissal could exacerbate security challenges.
“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 said.
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The NLC Chairman urged IBEDC to engage in dialogue, offering a chance for peaceful resolution.
“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 emphasized.
The protest left commuters stranded due to significant traffic congestion. IBEDC management had not yet responded to the NLC’s demands at the time of this report.