The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc has announced a salary increase for all its employees following an agreement reached with two recognised labour unions. The new salary structure will take effect from December 1, 2026.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between the company’s management, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), held on November 6 in Benin City.
The meeting was led by BEDC’s Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Lawani.In a statement issued on Sunday, Lawani said the successful conclusion of negotiations, which began in March, demonstrated management’s commitment to employees’ welfare and improved organisational performance.
He, however, described the recent industrial action by workers as avoidable, noting that it caused revenue losses, damaged the company’s reputation and created hardship for electricity consumers.
Lawani also expressed regret that the industrial action took place before the agreed date for concluding negotiations, as reaffirmed at the October 7 meeting.
He explained that BEDC’s approved operational expenditure framework had remained largely unchanged since 2013, despite rising operating costs and prevailing economic challenges.
According to him, access to the company’s full approved operational expenditure allocation depends on meeting specified revenue collection targets, while failure to meet the thresholds results in reduced allocations.
The management said the financial constraints made it necessary to balance employees’ welfare with the company’s long-term sustainability.
BEDC commended the leadership of NUEE and SSAEAC for their cooperation and constructive engagement in resolving the dispute, while reaffirming its commitment to transparency, mutual respect and industrial harmony.
The company added that the agreement marked an important step towards rebuilding trust and strengthening cooperation between management and organised labour.
