Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Aniedi Edet, has issued a stern warning to workers protesting non-enrolment into the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and non-payment of their allowances and salary arrears in recent years, stating that they risk being jailed.
Amidst a protest at the DICON factory in the Kakuri area of Kaduna South Local Government, employees brandished banners demanding enrollment into IPPIS, payment of six months’ salary arrears, settlement of 2019 minimum wage arrears, cessation of lopsided allowance payments, and disbursement of 2022 and 2023 promotion arrears.
However, Edet dismissed the protest as mischievous and unfounded, citing the conditions of service outlined in DICON’s Act, which prohibits employees from engaging in strikes or trade union activities.
Quoting Section 11 of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 1962, Edet emphasized the illegality of staff participation in such actions, asserting that proper channels of communication were in place to address their concerns.
Addressing the financial entitlements of staff, Edet assured that official processes were underway to settle outstanding payments, urging patience from the employees.
Refuting claims of lopsided allowance payments and mismanagement, the DG accused protesting workers of spreading falsehoods and emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues.
Acknowledging delays in payment, particularly regarding the transition from GIFMIS to IPPIS, Edet urged patience, citing ongoing efforts to rectify the situation and ensure timely disbursement of salaries and allowances.
Despite assurances from Edet, the protest underscores growing discontent among workers over unresolved financial grievances, raising concerns about morale and productivity within the corporation.
This situation highlight broader challenges faced by government agencies in navigating payment systems and addressing employee concerns, with potential implications for labor relations and organizational stability.
It also underscores the grievances of workers regarding non-enrolment into the IPPIS and non-payment of their allowances and salary arrears. The frustration and financial struggles faced by employees, reflecting broader concerns about fair compensation and financial stability among workers in Nigeria.
The Director General Aniedi Edet’s warning of potential jail time for protesting workers adds a sense of urgency and seriousness to the situation. This could deter future protests and activism among employees who fear legal consequences for voicing their concerns.
Also, the dismissal of the protest by Edet and the refutation of claims of mismanagement may impact public perception of the situation. Some may view the workers’ demands as legitimate and sympathize with their plight, while others may side with the government’s stance, seeing the protest as disruptive or unjustified.
Meanwhile, the ongoing dispute between DICON management and protesting workers highlights broader challenges in labor relations within government agencies. It underscores the need for effective communication channels and mechanisms for addressing employee grievances to prevent further tensions and disruptions in the workplace.
