BY VICTOR  AHIUMA-YOUNG

FOUR state chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, have threatened to shut down the operations of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, over alleged anti-labour practices, including de-unionisation and causalisation of workers.

Other alleged sins of BEDC, according to the NLC officials, include refusal to deduct union dues from workers who are members of the National Union Electricity, NUEE, since November 2013, refusal to recall union officials back to work, refusal to pay 2013 staff productivity bonus.

Others are refusal to honour Federal Government agreements on payment of unpaid staff housing/leave allowances and non-remittance of union dues deducted before takeover by management.

Leaders of NLC in the affected states had already brought their grievances to the notice of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, whose state hosts the headquarters of BEDC, at a meeting in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday, which had representatives of BEDC in attendance.

While Oshiomhole was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Civil Societies, Didi Adodo, leaders of NLC in the affected states were represented by the Delta State Chairman, Mr. Williams Akporegha.