BEDC urges NUEE to end strike, restore power supply

Management of BEDC Electricity has appealed to the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to immediately suspend its industrial action and restore electricity supply across its franchise area, saying negotiations over workers’ welfare and salary-related concerns are still ongoing.

The company made the appeal on Tuesday in Benin, following the shutdown of its electricity feeders by the union at about 2:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, an action that has disrupted power supply to customers across its coverage area.

Briefing journalists on behalf of the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BEDC, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Akinleye Ogunleye, said the company recognised workers’ concerns over the consequential adjustment arising from the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation and other welfare issues.

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He, however, maintained that management had initiated processes to address the demands through dialogue and structured reviews, urging the union to allow the ongoing engagements to produce a resolution rather than prolong an action that had inflicted hardship on electricity consumers.

Ogunleye said management had, since assuming responsibility in October 2022, introduced several measures to improve staff welfare, career progression, workplace safety and professional development, despite prevailing economic challenges.

According to him, salary increases ranging from five to 70 per cent were implemented across staff categories, while 957 employees benefited from promotions and 1,314 salary adjustments were effected between 2023 and 2025.

He added that more than 1,394 employees received long-service awards at a cost exceeding N125 million.

The BEDC chief commercial officer also disclosed that management had paid about N75 million to clear outstanding staff exit benefits accumulated over approximately 10 years, introduced end-of-year welfare packages and established a formal condition-of-service framework to provide a structured basis for employment terms and staff entitlements.

He said more than 1,000 employees had benefited from local and international training programmes, while over N68 million had been spent on performance-based rewards for more than 100 outstanding workers.

Other interventions, he said, included improved healthcare coverage, annual medical examinations, enhanced group life insurance and the provision of personal protective equipment.

Ogunleye further stated that the company had introduced bereavement support, spending more than N40 million on the initiative, alongside work-life balance activities and measures to resolve inherited tax-related issues.

He added that salaries had continued to be paid promptly without reductions or delays, while the company’s group life insurance provision had risen from N56.35 million to N103.15 million.

On the current dispute, he said management and union representatives had held several meetings, with the most recent taking place on October 7, 2026.

He explained that a joint committee established to examine the consequential adjustment arising from the national minimum wage had yet to conclude its work, while plans were also underway to engage an independent consultant to review salary harmonisation.

He said the proposed salary review was intended to provide an objective assessment of the company’s existing salary structure, employee categories, internal equity and the financial implications of implementation, adding that a prospective consultant had been identified and arrangements were being made to commence the exercise.

Expressing concern over the impact of the industrial action on households, businesses, healthcare facilities, industries and public institutions, BEDC urged NUEE to call off the strike, restore electricity supply and return to negotiations.

The company apologised to affected customers, appealed for their patience and understanding, and reaffirmed its commitment to employee welfare, constructive engagement and reliable electricity distribution.