506 electricity workers lose jobs
No fewer than 506 workers of the Ikeja electricity distribution company were relieved of their jobs by the new management at the weekend.
The lay-off which cut across the various segments of the company’s workforce was sequel to failure of the management to renew the appointments of the affected workers after the expiration of the six months probation period it placed on them.
The new management had on November 1, 2013 placed over 1,500 inherited workers on six months probation which expired on April 30, 2014.
Officials of the company who spoke to Daily Trust said new letters of full employment had been issued to the retained staff with new identity cards. The new electronic identity cards are to be used by the workers as their means of entrance, making it difficult for the sacked staff to enter the premises without authorization, beginning from today.
“A lot of people were affected. In fact, more than 506 and their names have been pasted on the notice board. Besides, no letter was issued to them”, an official said.
The official who pleaded anonymity said the new owner had told the workers while taking over in November that all of them would be placed on temporary appointment and that their performances afterwards would determine their stay in the company.