The has vowed to take immediate action against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) following the dismissal of 221 workers. The NLC has insisted that these workers must be reabsorbed into the company, which it claims unjustly fired over 3,000 employees.
While IBEDC maintains that only 221 workers were terminated, the NLC has strongly contested this figure, stating that many workers were wrongfully dismissed. The dispute over the number of workers dismissed has sparked a heated debate between the company and the labour union, with the NLC making it clear that it will not back down from its demand for justice.
In a statement issued on Friday, IBEDC rejected claims that it had dismissed 3,000 workers, clarifying that only 221 individuals were affected by the decision. The company, which is responsible for electricity distribution across Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, clarified that the workers were employed through an outsourcing firm, Premier International Procurements and Logistics Limited, not directly by IBEDC.
IBEDC’s statement further distanced itself from the layoffs, saying, “The employees in question were not staff of IBEDC, and as such, IBEDC is not responsible for their termination or potential reinstatement.” The company highlighted that the workers were employed by the outsourcing firm and that it was not involved in their dismissal.
Furthermore, IBEDC condemned the NLC’s calls for picketing, arguing that such actions would disrupt power services, inconvenience customers, and ultimately harm the public. The company argued that while it was open to dialogue, the repeated demands for picketing were unnecessary and counterproductive.
Despite IBEDC’s statements, the NLC has remained firm in its position, insisting that the 221 workers were unfairly dismissed without any valid explanation. The union, which represents workers across Nigeria, has vowed to take action if the workers are not reinstated immediately.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH Kayode Martins, the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the NLC, highlighted that it was wrong for IBEDC to fire any employee without due process, regardless of the number involved.
“Even if it’s just one person that was sacked, is it right? You cannot treat human beings like animals and expect everyone to stay quiet,” Martins said, expressing strong disapproval of the way the workers were treated. “We cannot allow these kinds of injustices to continue. If they are not ready to reabsorb those they have laid off, no problem. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. We will surely react, and they will see us.”
Martins also highlighted the vulnerability of some of the affected workers, particularly a widow who had been employed by IBEDC for several years. According to Martins, it is not just about the number of workers affected, but the human impact of such a decision.
“There is a widow among those people. Should we wait until it is 3,000 people before we act? Not everyone will stay silent, and not everyone can be bought over,” Martins added.
The Oyo NLC chairman’s comments reflect the broader concerns about workers’ rights in Nigeria. Labour unions across the country have been at the forefront of fighting for fair treatment of workers, advocating for better working conditions, and protecting employees from what they view as unjust dismissals.
