PHCN Workers Protest Non-payment Of Compensation

Some electricity workers in Nigeria have held a protest in Abuja to demand the payment of the terminal benefits of over 25,000 staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the Federal Government.

The protest, held on Monday at the former PHCN’s office in Wuse area, followed the expiration of a 14 day ultimatum given by the electricity workers in December 2013. The workers had called on the government to conclude all labour-related issues in the power sector within 14 days.

With placards of various inscriptions, the former electricity workers expressed their grievances.

They say government has not made any genuine effort to implement the agreements reached with the union in the sector.

Issues Of Irregular Staff Identities

Officials of the union say over 25,000 PHCN workers have not been paid their terminal benefits contradicting the claims of the Nigerian government.

The Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) said that it had settled the gratuity and pension of 43, 375 former workers of the power holding company of Nigeria.

In a statement which was signed by the head, Public Communications, Mr Chigbo Anichebe, the BPE said the remaining 4.5 per cent of the workers yet to be paid had issues of irregular staff identities and duplication of staff numbers and names.

Mr Anichebe called on the workers to be patient and assured them that the issues would be addressed.