By Okeke Okafor
The protesti
Electricity workers in Anambra, Abịa, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States have finally shutdown the facilities of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over alleged intimidation and refusal to release their members under detention.
The workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Tuesday, shutdown offices of EEDC over they described as Intimidation of Workers by the management.
The workers protested, who claimed that the EEDC Management’s persistent violation of conditions of Service, insensitivity to workers welfare as well as
humiliation of workers were among the reasons behind the shutdown, demanded for release of all workers in detention immediately.
In a protest letter entitled "Re: Stop the harassment and Intimidation of Workers in EEDC now", signed by Comrade Agyake Anthony, the Snr. Asst. General Secretary (East), the workers listed seven points demand to be met by the management of EEDC before the protests would be stopped.
"We bemoan and condemn, in strongest terms your Management’s persistent gross violation of the Conditions of Service and insensitivity to Workers’ welfare in the Company.
"You will recall that the Union via our memo ref: NUEE/SAGS(EZS)/028/2024 dated 22nd July, 2024, had demanded the stoppage of the harassment, intimidation and indiscriminate arrest/detention of Workers of the Company using men of the Nigeria Police Force (Anti-Robbery Unit); which is in violation of the Conditions of Service, due process and extant Labour laws.
"You have continued to connive with this Unit, supposedly established to handle cases of armed robbery; to arrest and incarcerate Workers in the Company without recourse to internal mechanisms established within the Organization to address workplace issues.
"It is highly regrettable that your Management has continued to abuse and undermine the harmonious industrial relationship with the Union, despite several shortcomings of Management.
Your Management has continued to delay/pay Staff salaries in arrears, despite agreement with the Union during our Consultative meetings to ensure prompt payment of staff salaries. Unfortunately, this and several other labour issues have not been addressed till date.
The protest letter added: "Consequently, we demand as follows:
"The immediate release of all workers in Police detention, comply with internally established processes (due process) of addressing staff issues, stoppage of further arrest of workers and immediate compensation to the affected workers.
"Immediate release of letters of promotion to workers of the Company who are demotivated and have not been promoted for over ten(10) years.
"Immediate approval of the reviewed Conditions of Service and invitation for signing.
"Immediate reinstatement of Staff Medicare scheme which your Managemt stopped for months to the detriment of Workers.
"Immediate payment of the balance of arrears of year 2022 Leave allowance and commencement of year 2024 Leave allowance.
"Settlement of exit package of all exited staff of the Company.
"Redeployment of the Head, Taskforce Department- Mrs. Chinenye Okafor; who has shown herself bigger than the rules/regulations governing the Company’s operations and workplace engagement in the Country.
The union had earlier written management through the Managing Director, EEDC, Enugu that the ongoing industrial action which commenced in Anambra as a result of Management’s indifference to the issues and concerns raised, will be escalated to all States under the Company’s coverage from today, 3oth July, 2024 and will be sustained until all issues highlighted above are conclusively addressed.