NUEE threatens Power Minister over unpaid wages, others

ABUJA—ORGANISED Labour in the nation’s Power sector, has handed a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Power, to address pending issues in the sector or risk industrial unrest. Under the umbrella of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, demanded among others that workers’ one year entitlement not captured by the agreement with government in 2012, be computed pro-rata and paid to staff before full severance payment is effected. The union in a petition through its General Secretary, Joe Ajaero, to Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, is also aggrieved that some top echelon of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, were promoted allegedly without due process, while other workers were left without promotion despite the fact that going by PHCN’s conditions of service, it was expected that by June 2013, promotion of workers in the sector would have been conducted. NUEE in the petition, also copied the Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, among others, read “We have been watching with keen interest the issues surrounding staff promotion in recent time in Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and the manipulations associated with it. It is quite amazing that some staff especially at the top echelon were promoted without due adherence to Federal Character Policy, Public Service Rules and PHCN Conditions of Service. “We also have it in good authority that by July 2013, the Ministry had commenced the promotion of a selected few, which has witnessed the bribing of union leaders with promotion without recommendation. Going by PHCN’s conditions of cervice, it is expected that by June 2013, promotion of workers in the power sector would have been conducted. “Therefore, we cannot but request that promotion of all eligible staff in PHCN by two grade levels be carried out urgently since this has become a norm. Besides, you would recall that the agreement and severance calculations signed between the unions and the Federal Government captured up to June 2012 but due to government’s delay, another year has passed. “