Aggrieved employees of DARR Communications, owners of AIT/Ray Power stations in Benin City, Edo State capital, on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 shut down the station over 17 months of unpaid salaries.
The protesting members of staff took over the entrance into the premises of the broadcast outfit situated along Iqueniro along the Benin bypass shutting down the station’s transmission.
Besides the outstanding salaries, the protesting staff also alleged high handedness on the part of the management of the station.
Armed with placards of various anti-management slogans, the members of staff also expressed shock that the management had concluded plans to lay off some of the workers.
It was gathered from the protesters that the management was set to replace permanent workers with contract appointments, adding that the steps were anti-labour law.
The Station Manager, Ms Oyeghe Oyarekhua, could not be immediately reached for comments on the allegations by the staff members.
Speaking anonymously to an array of newsmen, a protesting staff said, “Everything is about salaries and these are issues handled by the Headquarters, so will advise that enquiries be directed to Abuja. But I can assure you that management at that level is working to ensure all is well.”
In the meantime, the stations are currently off air.
