Federal Gov’t Gives IBEDC 7 Days to Reinstate Sacked 3,000 Workers

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its outsourcing firm to renegotiate the mass dismissal of 3,000 workers.

The directive was given by the Oyo State Comptroller of the Ministry, Mr. Festus Igbinosun, at the end of a meeting attended by IBEDC management, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the outsourcing firm, and representatives of the affected workers.

Igbinosun emphasized that resolving the issue within the specified timeframe would help maintain industrial harmony in the state.

Comrade Kayode Martins, Chairman of NLC in Oyo State, pointed out that the sack of the workers did not follow due process and called for the reinstatement of the dismissed employees.

In response, IBEDC representatives assured that the outsourcing firm had agreed to engage in renegotiations with the sacked workers within the given timeframe.

The NLC had previously staged a protest at the entrance of IBEDC, demanding the reinstatement of the workers and the payment of the minimum wage.

Martins also expressed dissatisfaction with the outsourcing agents’ refusal to pay the minimum wage to employees and unaccounted-for deductions. He appealed to IBEDC management to address the issues amicably to prevent further escalation of the situation.