By Michael Babatunde
The disengaged workers in Ekiti State Civil Service and TESCOM numbering about 2000 who were engaged by the former governor of the State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and later disengaged by the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi have appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to look to their plights.
The appeal was made by the aggrieved workers on Tuesday while addressing a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital following the recent court judgement While addressing journalists, the
leader of the affected workers, Mr. Bayo Omoyeni stated that they were disengaged by the past administration and left unpaid of their salaries for over five years.
Recall that the National Industrial Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state on Thursday 8th February, 2024 delivered a judgement ordering that the salary of the affected 2018 TESCOM and Civil service staff from the date of their appointments till date of the judgement and thereafter be paid.
Justice K.D Damulak, who delivered the Judgement declared that the Claimants having been employed by the defendants; posted to different workplaces by the defendants and the claimants having performed their sides of the contract of employments; are entitled to be paid by government.
While calling on the state government to heed to their demands, he noted that efforts were made towards resolving the issue amicably.
“There were series of appeals made via different channels to the then Government to reconsider his decision but all proved futile. To worsen the situation, this group was never paid a dime for the service already rendered from the employment date till the period of derecognition even up to this moment.
“We cannot but remember some of our colleagues whom we have lost into the cold hand of death in the course of this struggle. Our prayer to God is to grant them eternal rest and take care of their left behinds. Our moment of waiting had exposed us to lots of hardship, ridicule, intimidation and Financial struggles but we are trusting God to use BAO to return smiles back to our faces.
“This avenue is not for us to sing a victory song or to put forward any challenge but to appeal to our father Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to see us as sons and daughters of Ekiti State whom God has put under his care and grant us the recognition that we seek.”