Fakoyejo OlalekanAnother strike looms in the electricity industry, as agencies of the Federal Government are said to be harassing the leaders of the unions in the sector after halting their nationwide strike two weeks ago.
The agencies, including anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are allegedly harassing the leadership over an agreement the government had with former workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) during the privatisation exercise in 2013.
Recall that failure to pay the former PHCN workers their entitlement was one of the reasons that led to National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), as well as the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEC) to go on strike two weeks ago, which put the country in blackout for days.
It was gathered that agencies responsible for the payment, like Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) are not forthcoming, and they are also subjected to EFCC’s harassment.
“The government agencies including the BPE are shying away from taking the responsibility for the payment of the entitlements. They are passing bucks and this is a major hindrance to resolving the issues.
“Though other issues are progressing well, the issue of payment will stall the resolution of the issues. The workers are already very restive because the two weeks given to resolve the matter ends tomorrow (today).
“There is tension in the sector because the workers are aware of the development and are pushing for a resumption of the suspended strike. So, tomorrow’s meeting is very crucial to either the resolution of the matter or, there will be fresh industrial unrest.” A source told Vanguard.
The report also reads, “The harassment is becoming unbearable because the EFCC and other government agencies know where to get the agreements being asked for especially at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We cannot be intimidated. Our right to industrial action cannot be denied us and no amount of harassment, intimidation or otherwise can stop us. We are undaunted.” The source stated.
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