Electricity Workers' Union Raises Alarm Over Mass Sack
The National Union of Electricity Employees has strongly condemned the recent dismissal of 800 employees by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company. The union described the massive job cuts, carried out under a corporate restructuring scheme, as a violation of the existing agreement between the workforce and the company's management.
Breach of Agreement and Union's Stance
In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, the union's Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, expressed profound disappointment. He stated that the restructuring process severely lacked the mutual trust that was supposed to anchor the understanding between both parties. This action by AEDC, according to the union, falls short of the previously agreed terms.
While the AEDC defended its position on its official website, stating that the move was necessary to improve customer service, operational efficiency, and become a more agile and customer-centric organization, the union sees it differently. The company claimed it promoted high-performing staff and only released those who were retiring or performing below expectations.
Economic Impact and Allegations of Victimization
Mr. Igwebike voiced deep concern over the timing and scale of the retrenchment, given the severe economic challenges facing the nation. He emphasized that the figure of 800 dismissed workers is unacceptably high and worsens the country's unemployment crisis.
He argued that the cited underperformance could be a result of management's failure to provide necessary work tools and a conducive environment, not just worker ineptitude. A particularly alarming point raised was that over 60% of the affected staff are youths, whose long-term unemployment could have devastating social and economic consequences for households and communities.
The union also accused the AEDC management of a well thought-out plan of victimization against the union itself. Igwebike revealed that over 70% of union officials across the company's four state councils and 21 chapters were included in the retrenchment list.
Calls for Review and Mitigation
In response to this crisis, the NUEE has put forward several demands to the AEDC management. These include:
- A comprehensive, line-by-line audit of the performance records and disciplinary history of every affected employee.
- The establishment of a joint AEDC/Union committee to oversee a transparent review and appeal process.
- Reconsideration for any staff who were on performance improvement tracks and a mitigation process for those unfairly targeted.
The union has demanded that the company provide full access to the performance records used to justify the dismissals. While reaffirming its commitment to protecting workers' rights, the NUEE advised AEDC management to harness the potential of its workforce to achieve desired productivity, rather than resorting to mass layoffs.
