Unions Reject N45bn Severance Package

The industrial unions in Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)  have asked the Federal Government to explain why it now decided to pay N45billion as the union members severance package against the N384 billion it earlier promised.

Speaking to newsmen, Comrade Beda Opara, the President General Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) said the demand became necessary in view of the letter the unions received from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Comrade Opara said the salary scale used in computing their gratuity was not the salary scale agreed with the technical and negotiation team under the leadership of the Secretary to Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The union leader urged the Ministry of Power to ensure that all labour issues were addressed to enable the workers to get their entitlements on time.

The Tide was reliably informed that the Federal Government had summoned the two industrial unions leaders for a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday to resolve the “grey areas” in the furtherance of privatizing the PHCN.

But speaking to The Tide the state chairman National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) Comrade Thomspon Banigo said the unions had nothing to negotiate with the government anymore.

He said the labour issues remained unresolved stressing that it was wrong for the Federal Government to announce openly the total amount involved for the severance package for PHCN workers.

The union leader bemoaned a situation where the said government has failed to keep its promised of releasing the announced amount of N384 billion but released only N45billion.

Comrade Banigo said government has never announced through the electronic or print media severance package for workers in Nigeria Port Authority, Nigerian Television Authority or any other parastatal, wondering why the PHCN severance package should be openly announced.

Speaking further, SSACEAC President General said the unions have nothing to negotiate with the government gain because the unions have finished negotiation since December 12, 2012.

He said the unions call for the implementation of the agreement reached with the government’s representatives.

He contended that the technical committee earlier set up should be allowed to continue to work, stressing that the technical committee comprised Aletander Forbes, Bureau of Public Enterprises, PHCN and the in-house unions should be allowed to continue with their responsibility.

He said the committee will ensure that accurate amount is given to each PHCN workers at the end of the day.