Some employees of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, have called on the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to rectify what they described as an act of injustice being perpetrated by the new management of the corporation under the leadership of its Chairman, Mrs Adedotun Olaitan.
The employees who are not civil servants in direct employment of the state government are categorised as freelance and contract staffs.
In what they described as a breach of contracts, they lamented that the new management had a backward review of their October salaries without a prior notice, a development which they said the management intend to sustain going forward.
They said the situation left many of them traumatized and their morale dampened.
According to them, the freelance and contract staffs who are more than 100 in the corporation carry most of the workload in BCOS despite the unfair working conditions.
They said the situation became more traumatizing when the state government released palliatives to the state workers to cushion the effect of the nationwide fuel subsidy removal but soon realised that BCOS excluded them from the six months juicy package considering the fact that they also bear the brunt of the subsidy removal.
The freelance and contract staffs said many of them have spent over 10 or 15 years in service to the corporation without permanent employment or steady upward review of salary.
In a chat with this medium, one of the freelance/contract employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity gave details of development:
How many freelance and contract staffs are currently employed in BCOS?
We are close to 200 because presently on our Whatsapp platform we’re over 100.
How many freelance/contract staffs were affected by the salary deduction?
About 70%
Which month was the salary deducted?
October
What excuse did the corporation give on the backward review of salary?
The truth is, no official communication but what we’re hearing is that there’s no money and that some people are collecting huge amount of money as take-home whereas they are contributing little.
Who gave the authorization to cut the salary for the freelance/contract staffs?
BCOS Chairman
So what has the chairman said to ease the tension or calm the nerves of the employees following the development?
Nothing, except the time she posted something on WhatsApp group after the deduction.
Can you share the content of her post?
On the 27th of October, she wrote:
“Good afternoon all. I understand there are expectant reactions to a slight review in the allowance of freelance artistes presently on the Corporation’s payroll. As we speak, I had the choice of either laying off some or this review. Even the entire staff list is currently under state government scrutiny. I crave the indulgence and understanding of the affected officers in view of the general economic crunch in the country. Do not allow yourselves to be used negatively in any way by in-house selfish forces and bad elements that are not unknown to you all. ALWAYS NOTE, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! I want to assure you that ALL will be well with the BCOS in no time and we will all have cause to smile. In the meantime, we all have to play our roles towards the futuristic overall goal. Once again, thanks for your understanding.”
Was there a prior notice by the corporation to prepare the freelance/contract staffs ahead of the salary deduction?
No prior notification. It was sudden.
What was the reaction of the freelance/contract staffs when they noticed their salaries were deducted?
They were sad, in fact some people are still traumatized.
What has this development done to the morale of the freelance/contract staffs?
It has killed their morale. In fact no be small thing o, some people don’t have any take-home after the salary slash because many of them have taken cooperative loan.
Has this development ever happened before in BCOS from previous management of the corporation?
This is the first time
What reason did they give about why freelance/contact staff didn’t benefit from the government palliatives?
According to the General Manager who addressed us sometimes last week, he said government only gave them money to give to regular staff.
So what did he say will be the fate of the freelance/contract staffs going forward?
In fact the GM said it’s criminal to keep a contract staff for 15, 17 years without giving them permanent appointment.
He said they are working on permanent appointment, that they are also planning on what the corporation will give us as palliative but no going back on salary slash.
What steps have you all taken to make sure your voices are heard and your requests are granted since this development happened?
We have written the chairman, the GM and all the directors of the corporation concerning this issues but up till now, no response.
What are the demands of the freelance/contract staffs from the corporation and the state government?
1. N25,000 naira palliative wage award
2. Good working conditions for freelance and contract staffs because they are the ones doing the bulk of the job or
3. Permanent appointment
What do the freelance/contract staffs intend to do if this situation is not rectified and their demands met?
We’re planning to withdraw our services.
Are you sure that’s not what the management wanted, since they appear incapable to continue paying your salary?
Maybe
