The Department of State Services (DSS) has stepped in to mediate a longstanding dispute between Ikeja Electric, one of Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over alleged poor treatment of employees.
Comrade Mbang Ntukubes, Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), disclosed the development in an interview with Daily Trust at Ikeja Electric’s Lagos headquarters. Ntukubes voiced his dissatisfaction with Ikeja Electric’s management, stating they had failed to uphold the agreed conditions of service, turning the workplace into what he described as a “slave camp.”
“We negotiated a condition of service that covers issues like discipline, promotion, training, and employee exit procedures, but management has ignored these provisions,” Ntukubes said, adding that the company dismisses employees at will and disregards wage adjustments, including the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The NUEE representative noted that the union has been pushing for better conditions for almost two years but has been met with resistance. He said recent union actions were a response to management’s disregard for peaceful negotiations.
“The DSS has invited us to discussions aimed at finding a middle ground,” Ntukubes confirmed, adding that despite previous talks, recent meetings with Ikeja Electric’s management have been unproductive.