Workers of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADECO), commenced an indefinite strike in protest against the management’s alleged plan to dismiss over 900 employees, among other grievances.
On Monday, the protesting workers, carrying placards with various inscriptions, blocked the entrance to KADECO’s corporate headquarters, preventing both employees and customers from accessing the premises.
The demonstration, organized under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), was aimed at expressing discontent over what the union described as the management’s high-handedness and blatant disregard for industrial agreements.
Speaking on behalf of the union, the North West Zonal Organising Secretary of NUEE, Barde, outlined their grievances, which include the failure of KADECO to pay exit benefits to employees who resigned or retired five years ago and the planned mass dismissal of 900 staff, a move the union vowed to resist.
Other concerns raised by the striking workers include the nonpayment of five years outstanding pensions to retirees, failure to implement the national minimum wage, lack of promotion for deserving employees, and inadequate provision of essential work tools.
Meanwhile, a letter from KADECO’s management to the affected employees, dated January 31, 2025, directed them to return all company property in their possession to the human resources department immediately.
The letter, signed by the Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, confirmed that their services were no longer required as of January 31, 2025, while arrangements for severance package payments were underway.
