The National Union of Textile, Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has threatened to picket Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) after the Funtua Textile Company in Katsina shut down its operations over an intolerable electricity bill.
This comes a day after the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies shut down the 11KVA power supply in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states over poor staff welfare.
Comrade Ali Baba, the Secretary of the Textile Union, made the threat on Friday while speaking with Grassroots Parrot over the complaint of the Funtua Textile Company about the hike in its electricity bill by 200 percent.
Ali Baba said the company was forced to completely shut down and asked its over 600 workers to stay at home until further notice after KEDCO increased the company’s monthly electricity bill from N32 million to N92 million.
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“We from the private sector unions in the north-west zone have decided to picket KEDCO in Katsina and its headquarters in Kano because of its electricity tariff that is endangering the jobs of thousands of workers.
“As I speak, the jobs of over 600 workers at Funtua Textile are on the line as they are currently at home on compulsory leave because the company cannot cope with the new electricity tariff.
“Management of the company told us that before now they were struggling to pay N32 million monthly on electricity, and all of a sudden, it was increased to N92 million.
“This is happening in areas where we have banditry, and again, 600 workers, many of whom have three wives, were forced to take compulsory leave; now tell me why this will not complicate the insecurity.” He said.
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He also confirmed that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano State Chapter, had dragged the Kano disco to court over the hike in the electricity tariff for Band A customers.
The textile boss lamented that it was unfortunate that many of those who are imposing these inimical policies are not patronizing made-in-Nigeria products; instead, they are making life difficult for Nigerians.
He urged KEDCO to prevent the looming picketing by adjusting its tariff, or else the union would be left without a choice but to picket the company after the Sallah celebration.
“Some of the affected workers of Funtua Textile came to our office begging us to rescue them from the looming loss of their jobs, and if care is not taken, we will mobilize them to keep vigil at KEDCO headquarters.” He said.
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The textile union’s threat came barely 24 hours after the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies shut down the 11KVA power supply in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states over poor staff welfare.
The union also closed down the KEDCO office complex and prevented staff and customers from entering the premises.
This followed the KEDCO management’s refusal to approve revised conditions of service, remit pensions and PAYE, and address unsafe working conditions.
When contacted, the KEDCO’s spokesperson, Sani Bala, said the disco was not aware of the planned picketing by the private sector union.
Bala, however, admitted the hike in the monthly electricity bill of the Funtua textile, linking it to the recent increase of electricity tariff nationwide.
“Funtua textile is one of our Band A customers and everyone is aware of the recent hike in the tariff as ordered by the federal government.”
He therefore urged the union to embrace peaceful dialogue with the management of the company instead of the proposed picketing.