NLC writes Fayemi over sack of workers

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
|
The organised labour in Ekiti State, has written a letter to Governor Kayode Fayemi to express its disenchantment and outright disapproval over what it called “arbitrary sack of its members”.

The labour unions in the state also added that most disturbing was the rumour making the rounds that the gale of sack, which had hit the Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), will blow across all government’s tertiary institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

The Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ekiti state chapter, Com. Sola Adigun, said the labour deemed the letter highly expedient , owing to insinuation that Governor Fayemi was not aware of the mass sack in EKSU and EKSUTH.

A total of 1,200 workers were sacked in December, by the two institutions.

The letter dated January 4, 2020 and addressed to Governor Fayemi, was jointly signed by the  Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Com Taiwo Akinyemi, his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Com. Lawrence Kuloogun and Joint Negotiating Council’s Scribe, Com.Gbenga Olowoyo.

The letter said the  leadership of the organized labour is constraint to bring to the governor’s notice the recent happenings at the EKSUTH, which revolves around sacking of 200 members of staff of the Health institution.

“It is informative to bring to the notice of your esteemed office that the recent sacking scenario happenings around various sectors is not only worrisome but also called for serious attention because of the image that the developments is attracting to our dear state as well as the government of the day.

“It is beyond our comprehension that one Mr. Femi Adeleye Daniel, a staff in the Porter Departmental of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) was allegedly given compulsory retirement, vide a letter with reference EKSUTH/A/982 dated 24th December 2019, because of his involvement in the mobilization of workers for workers’ congress meeting held at the Teaching Hospital premises”.

It added that flowing from the above, the organized Labour is seriously concerned with information milling round that the current sacking, compulsory and untimely retirement of workers, is a whirlwind that will soon blow across the entire workforce in the state.

“We don’t want to believe the rumors peddling around that the state government want to have mass disengagement of workers that have two or three more years in the Public Service of Ekiti State.

“Arising from the above, these developments have started causing disquietedness and uneasy calm among the workforce in Ekiti which requires Mr. Governor’s quick and fatherly intervention. It is expedient and imperative to remind His Excellency of his commitment that he will not allow anything untowards to affect the workforce in Ekiti State and you promised during your inaugural speech “that you are back as an healing balm on a painful wound”

The labour stated further: ” it is on the strength of the above commitment that the leadership of the organized labour is hereby calling your attention to the above information in respect of Ekiti State University, (EKSU) and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti (EKSUTH) for your quick intervention to put a stop to these ugly trends so as not to give your administration and Ekiti State a bad name in the comity of States in Nigeria.