Workers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry have issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over alleged anti-labour practices, wage violations, and worsening job insecurity.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), in a letter dated January 26 addressed to the Minister of Power, accused power sector employers of refusing to negotiate collective agreements and implement conditions of service, particularly in power generation and distribution companies.
“We have written several letters to your highly exalted office on precarious work in NESI, especially in Gencos and Discos since after the privatisation of the electricity sector for more than 12 years, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, stated.
The workers alleged that employers have failed to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments, while also denying workers the right to unionise.
“Employers have refused to allow unionisation of workers, infringing on their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, while union dues deducted from workers are not remitted,” the union said.
NUEE also alleged that third-party deductions such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax and pension contributions have not been remitted for prolonged periods, in some cases running into several years.
“Pension deductions have not been remitted for up to 82 months in some Discos, including Kaduna and Kano,” the notice alleged.
The workers decried the “militarisation” of the work environment, alleging harassment, intimidation, and threats against employees by managements of some power companies, including Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc.
They lamented that despite repeated electricity tariff hikes and increased revenues to power companies, workers’ welfare has remained stagnant, with no promotions, salary increments, or bonuses.
“Tariffs have gone up repeatedly, yet there has been no promotion, no increment, no bonuses, and no improvement in working conditions for workers, while customers vent their anger on innocent employees,” the union stated.
The workers urged the Federal Government to intervene within 21 days, warning that failure to resolve the issues could lead to industrial action capable of crippling electricity generation and distribution nationwide.
“We demand the immediate resolution of all these anti-labour issues within twenty-one days of the receipt of this letter. Otherwise, we will not be constrained to take our fate into our hands by employing any legitimate labour weapon suitable for the situation. This is not a threat,” the notice concluded.
