The Federal Government has given the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its outsourcing firm a seven-day ultimatum to renegotiate the mass dismissal of 3,000 workers.
The directive was issued by the Oyo State Comptroller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Igbinosun, at the end of a meeting held between IBEDC’s management, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the outsourcing firm, and representatives of the affected staff.
According to Igbinosun, resolving the matter within the stipulated timeframe is crucial to maintaining industrial harmony in the state. “The ministry has given IBEDC and its outsourcing firm seven days to address this issue and reach a fair resolution with the affected workers,” he stated.
The Oyo State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Kayode Martins, condemned the mass sack, describing it as a violation of due process. “The sacking of these workers was carried out without following due process, and we demand that IBEDC and its outsourcing firm reinstate them immediately,” he said.
Martins also criticized the outsourcing agents for allegedly failing to pay the minimum wage and making unexplained deductions from workers’ salaries. “It is unacceptable that workers are being denied their rightful wages while illegal deductions continue. This must be addressed,” he added.
In response, IBEDC representatives at the meeting confirmed that the outsourcing firm had agreed to renegotiate with the dismissed workers within the given timeframe.
The NLC had previously barricaded the entrance of IBEDC’s headquarters in protest, demanding that the company reinstate the affected workers and implement the minimum wage for all employees.
Martins urged IBEDC’s management to resolve the crisis amicably before it escalates. “We appeal to IBEDC to handle this issue with urgency and fairness. If not properly addressed, this could lead to a full-blown industrial crisis,” he warned.
