900 Workers Sacked: NLC Stages Protest at AEDC Hotels, Demands Reinstatement in 48 Hours

Yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disrupted operations at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) headquarters in Abuja by protesting the contentious disengagement of approximately 900 employees.

Additionally, it gave the company’s management a 48-hour deadline to resolve the issue or face a shutdown.

The labor movement, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, its president, accused AEDC of conducting the mass layoffs under false pretenses, calling it “the height of deceit” and setting a risky precedent in Nigeria’s already problematic power industry.

According to Ajaero, the crisis began roughly six months ago when AEDC management stated that only employees who had achieved retirement age or were about to retire would be impacted by the disengagement.

On the basis of such understanding, the union intervened at that time. He declared, “No responsible labor leader would oppose the departure of workers who have rightfully reached retirement age.”

He did, however, admit that the union’s investigations turned up an entirely different picture.

The vast majority of individuals impacted were not old enough to retire. Some had only been in service for five or six years. Many had, in reality, only been employed for two or three years. That’s the pinnacle of dishonesty,” he said.

He claims that despite numerous engagements through zonal consultative sessions, AEDC had agreed to reassess the process, but six months later, nothing has been done.

The fact that other distribution firms are starting to mimic this trend is even more concerning.

Ajaero cautioned that “that sends a very dangerous signal across the power sector.”

A protest is sparked by MD’s absence. When NLC representatives showed up for a planned meeting with management at the AEDC offices and found that the Managing Director was not there, tensions increased.

“The MD was not seated when we arrived for the meeting. Ajaero stated, “Even the zonal level engagements have been handled in a very lukewarm manner.”

The NLC promptly canceled the meeting, stating that the problem “goes beyond a zonal matter to a national concern,” and instructed employees to wait for further instructions.

Employees started to leave their offices in accordance with labor’s demand while union members mobilized throughout the building, seriously interfering with operations.

AEDC management was given a harsh 48-hour deadline by the NLC President to settle the issue or risk increased industrial action that might severely disrupt the Federal Capital Territory’s electrical supply.

“We cannot guarantee a power supply if nothing is done within that time. He cautioned that the workers who maintain the system will remain at home, and that their absence will inevitably have an impact on the system.

If the corporation doesn’t react, he said, the action would be expanded beyond Abuja to all AEDC operations zones.

“This won’t end here.” It will impact every AEDC station. Until this issue is resolved, operations will be suspended,” he declared.

“Power Sector Becoming Lawless”: Ajaero took use of the occasion to offer a biting indictment of the Nigerian electricity industry, charging businesses of abusing customers while ignoring labor regulations.

Nearly 90% of electricity bills in Abuja today are estimated, yet there is no matching supply. He claimed that a system that encourages inefficiency is taking advantage of Nigerians.

Additionally, he criticized the banding system, claiming that it exacerbates inequality in access to power while giving some distribution companies, like AEDC, an unfair advantage.

In addition to distribution corporations, the NLC leader attacked power producing companies, accusing them of ignoring their responsibilities and pursuing large government bailouts.

For what is essentially darkness, some of them are requesting almost ₦6 trillion. In addition, they have been withholding more than ₦5 billion in union dues since 2012. He asked, “How do you demand trillions when you are unable to fulfill your own obligations?”

“Employers Must Comply with Labor Laws.” Ajaero cautioned that broader industrial unrest might result from firms in the sector continuing to ignore labor laws.

He stated, “You cannot expect protection from the same system you disregard if you do not obey labor laws.”

Despite inheriting a unionized workforce at the time of privatization, he accused some power sector owners of purposefully undercutting workers’ rights.

“They entered a system where employees already had rights and protections, and now their primary goal is to dehumanize those employees. “They should reconsider,” he continued.

The union demands justice and transparency. In order to allow for public scrutiny, the NLC is requesting that AEDC release the whole list of disengaged employees, including their years of service and the grounds behind their discharge.

Ajaero stated, “Let Nigerians see if the union is being unfair or if management acted unjustly.”

He also expressed worries about the company’s unsolved staff welfare issues, bad working conditions, and lack of promotions.

He claims that the situation has gotten worse due to protracted and ineffectual dialogue.

“What we are witnessing is a policy of constant communication—talks that never cease and are never put into action. He stated, “That has no place in industrial relations.”

“Reckoning Day.” Ajaero concluded with a firm statement that the union would no longer put up with what he called structural injustice in the industry.

“It appears that AEDC’s administration believes they can dribble everyone and people would forget. However, this is a day of reckoning, he declared.

Unresolved labor difficulties do not go away, as history has demonstrated; instead, they reappear, frequently with more dire repercussions. Time is running out.

He called for “bumper-to-bumper unionism” and urged employees to stay watchful and unified.

“Justice must be served. “Those who were wrongfully fired and are suffering at home need to have their cases reviewed within the legal system,” he said.

“As a union, we are not making any unlawful requests. However, we shall be content that justice has been done provided the law is obeyed.