N384bn gratuity: FG, PHCN workers head for fresh showdown

THERE are indications that the Federal Government and workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)  are heading for a fresh showdown  over the payment of the N384 billion gratuities of the workers.

The government had fixed June 17 as the date it would pay off the workers following the privatisation of the electricity Generating and Distribution companies, which are the successors to PHCN.

Labour leaders interviewed on Thursday said that the Monday June 17 date was no longer feasible as the unions have discovered some discrepancies in the letters being circulated to workers.

While the source did not state the specifics, he stated that Labour unions and the staff of PHCN did not agree with what was presented to them before their payments would be made to them on Monday.

The source noted that there were discrepancies in the letter sent to them from government, stating that it was quite different from what was initially agreed with government.

He stated however that the unions were not making the issues public yet as they have chosen to swiftly work on modalities  and alert the government on the issues in contention.

“The paper sent to them (workers) contain some discrepancies, so the Monday date my no longer be feasible,” a source said.

Source: Nigerian Tribune