FG admits delay in payment of PHCN workers’ benefits

AS the Federal Government prepared to complete the final handover of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the new investors on Friday, it owned up to delay in the payment of the workers’ benefits.
It said that delays had occurred in the payment process which, it said, had created anxiety among the stakeholders.
In an agreement signed after a meeting between the Federal Government and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the government, however, vowed to investigate the delays in payment of PHCN workers’ benefits and bring individuals and organisations responsible to book.
The meeting, which preceded the final handing over, took a decision to resolve all labour-related matters and PHCN handover process.
The agreement was jointly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, on behalf of the Federal Government; acting Managing Director, PHCN, Mubarak Ec-Nafaty; President-General, SSAEAC, Mr Bede Opara; President, NUEE, Mr Mansur Musa; General Secretary, SSAEAC, Mr Abiodun Ogunsega; Mr Olusegun Babatunde, who signed for the General Secretary, NUEE and Mrs. C. C. Dike, for the Minister of Labour and Productivity.
The meeting, as contained in the agreement, resolved that the issue of payment of all severance benefits should be completed by Friday, 15 November, 2013, but added that the concerned workers would only exit after full payment.
Another decision taken was that the process of reveal ideation of biometric data and payments for the affected workers should also be completed by that date, “however, such workers shall remain in employment until all their benefits are paid.”
The agreement also read: “That the process of revalidation of all normally retired workers of PHCN should commence and be completed by November 30, 2013 for the purpose of payment of gratuity, pension and death benefit.
 “That the arrangement of post-retirement training of PHCN workers should commence and be completed by 30 November, 2013.”

- Tribune

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