Francis Sadhere
Delta State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioner (Electricity Sector), has called on the federal government to transfer their pension fund to recurrent expenditure, release the money monthly and implement all agreements signed between government and labour unions in the power sector.
The pensioners made this call in a press statement signed by Chairman and Auditor, Comrade Uyovwiare and Comrade Akpotaghware Benson respectively, in Warri and made available to National Reformer.
The union also appealed for the payment of all outstanding pensions and arrears without further delay, insisting that their members were dying on a daily basis.
They lamented that the failure to meet up these demands led to their recent protest, adding that the needs are yet to be met.
They described as punitive and anti-labour activities the privatization of PHCN, stressing that it violates established conditions of service and against International Labour Organization conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“Consistently, as at today, available records show that over 5000 former employees who were exited by retirement and or death are still owed their terminal benefits.
“Agreements signed with NUP (ES) in 2012 have not been honoured by Government. Whereas most disengaged former workers of PHCN who retired with effect from 1st May, 2013 have been paid their entitlements, those that retired earlier, who are our members have not been paid.
“Death benefits of most former deceased staff, dating back to 1999 have not been paid, thereby subjecting the bereaved families to untold hardship.”
The union accused successive management of PHCN of mismanagement and failure to remit agreed allocations to the superannuation funds which is responsible for caring for exiting employees from service.
