Workers with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, (EEDC), on Tuesday shut down its services in Anambra.
The information was contained in a protest letter entitled “Re: Stop the harassment and Intimidation of Workers in EEDC now”,
The protest letter was signed by Mr Anthony Agyake, Snr. Assistant General Secretary (East) and made available to journalists in Awka.
Agyake said that the EEDC workers across the South-East under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE), is not left out in the action.
He said that the workers had listed seven points demand to be met by the management of EEDC before the protests would stop.
He said that the insensitivity of the management to workers welfare as well as humiliation of workers formed their decision.
The workers have shut the offices of the EEDC across South-East, insisting that all workers in detention be released forthwith.
The letter read in part: “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.
” This, the company did by 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.
“It is highly regrettable that your Management has continued to abuse and undermine the harmonious industrial relationship with the Union, despite several shortcomings of the Management,” the letter read.
Agyake said that the Management had continued to delay/pay Staff salaries and arrears, despite agreement with the Union during their Consultative meetings to ensure prompt payment of staff salaries.
The workers demanded immediate release of all workers in Police detention and comply with the internally established processes (due process) of addressing staff issues.
The union also demanded the 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 10 years,” he said.
He said that immediate reinstatement of Staff Medicare scheme which the Management 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.
He said that the union earlier informed the management to address the concerns raised to avoid escalation of industrial action to all States under the Company’s coverage before 30th July, 2024.
“The management ignored the plea and now we are left with no option than to strike and this will be sustained until all issues highlighted above are conclusively addressed,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that efforts made to contact Mr Emeka Eze, the EEDC, Public Relations Officer through phone call failed as he did not pick up his phone. (NAN)
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