Blackout In Nigeria As Electricity Workers Go On Strike

By Ehis Agbon, Nigeria.

Electricity workers in Nigeria have embarked on an indefinite strike, shutting down transmission and distribution operations across the country to protest poor working conditions.

The strike is coming against the alleged backdrop of failure of the Federal Government to honor the agreement reached with the electricity workers to implement increases in salaries and payment of monetization arrears owed them.

The workers are also not happy with the authorities for failure to implement the regularization of casual staff in the industry.

The striking workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) had last month shelved the planned strike following the agreement with government to settle their demands in 30 days’ time which expired on Tuesday.

Consequently, NUEE has directed its members to down tools pending the settlement of their demands by government.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the headquarters of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) the Zonal Organizing Secretary, Comrade Temple Simepiriye Iworima, on behalf of the National President of NUEE, Mansur Musa, said the union had no option than to embark on strike since government had failed to settle the problems despite promises by officials.

The workers are demanding for the payment of their entitlements amounting to over N69 billion.

Jeo Ajaero, the general secretary of the union on Tuesday, issued a circular directing all its members not to report for duty as from Wednesday 25^th August except payments were made to all eligible members of staff.

Describing the Federal Government as being insensitive to resolving the issue, the union said it would not honor further negotiations; saying only immediate payment of their demands would end the strike.

Posted by Ehis Agbon on August 26, 2010. Filed under Africa Regional News,Human Interest - Africa,International Business News,News - Africa,Nigeria,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.