BENIN CITY — The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its total solidarity with the state chapter of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) as power sector workers embark on industrial action to press home demands for improved staff welfare and better working conditions.
The Chairman of the Edo NLC Caretaker Committee, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, disclosed the council’s position in an official press statement issued on Monday in Benin City.
Prof. Igbafen sharply criticized the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for ignoring a 14-day ultimatum followed by an extended 7-day window of grace, refusing to meaningfully engage with the union on longstanding grievances.
According to the NLC, the core issues fueling the strike action include non-implementation of the national minimum wage, unharmonized salary structures, stagnated staff promotions, and growing threats of arbitrary dismissals.
“The management of BEDC has failed to utilize available windows for peaceful resolution. We are backing our affiliate union completely until the legitimate demands of these workers are met,” Prof. Igbafen stated.
Furthermore, the Edo NLC issued a stern caution to the Edo State Government, warning against alleged interference in internal trade union administration and urging authorities to stop hobnobbing with unregistered or factional figures.
Invoking international standards, the congress reminded the government of Nigeria’s obligations under global statutes, notably ILO Convention No. 98 concerning the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, which explicitly prohibits state or employer interference in labour union operations.
The labour body warned that the struggle will be sustained across the state unless management and relevant stakeholders move quickly to resolve the impasse.
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