Staff members of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company have protested and commenced an indefinite strike over alleged unresolved industrial disputes with the company’s management.
The aggrieved workers, under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), carried placard while blocking the entrance to the company’s headquarters in the Kaduna State, preventing both staff and customers from accessing the premises.
One of the key grievances cited by the protesters is the alleged non-remittance of six years’ worth of pension contributions to their beneficiaries, coupled with the non-payment of death benefits to families of deceased staff.
Additionally, the protesting workers raised concerns regarding unjust termination of employment of seven staff members in Zaria and purported plan to lay off over 1,000 workers.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, Ayuba Pukat, the Organising Secretary, North West of the NUEE, highlighted the dire situation between the workers and the management of the Kaduna Electricity.
He said the aim of the protest is to press home the grievances of the workers of Kaduna Electric because on so many issues on the ground which have to do with staff welfare.
Pukat said the pension deducted from staff was not remitted for over 72 months, and staff are still working, adding that the licence of Kaduna Electric should be seized.
He further accused the management of the electricity distribution company of unjust treatment of some staff members particularly in Zaria.