Labour Crisis: NLC Pickets AEDC, Gives 48-Hour Deadline Over 900 Job Cuts

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday shut down the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in protest against the controversial disengagement of about 900 workers.

The labour union subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the company’s management, demanding an immediate resolution of the crisis or risk a complete shutdown of operations across its major offices.

Leading the protest, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused AEDC of carrying out the mass dismissal under false pretences, describing the action as “the height of deceit.” He warned that such practices could set a dangerous precedent in Nigeria’s already fragile power sector.

Ajaero revealed that the dispute has persisted for approximately six months. He explained that AEDC management had initially assured the union that the disengagement would only affect workers who had reached retirement age or were close to it.

However, investigations by the union uncovered a different reality.

“At that time, the union intervened based on that understanding. No responsible labour leader would oppose the exit of workers who have legitimately reached retirement age,” Ajaero said.

“A majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. In fact, many had only worked for two to three years. That is the height of deceit,” he added.

According to him, although AEDC had promised to review the exercise, no action has been taken six months later, despite several engagements through zonal consultative meetings.

Baba Comrade, E-Magazine