The Civil Service Agency (CSA) under the signature of Director General, Josiah F. Joekai has invited the Minister of Labor Cllr. Cooper Kruah for a conference concerning the alleged dismissal of four employees. The conference takes place today.
Minister Kruah is expected to respond to complaints filed by Samuel S. Sambolah, HIV/ AIDS focal person, Victor S. Whymah, Planning Officer, Edwin S. Sebo, Child Labor Monitor and Bill S. Ninneh, Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Minister of Planning
Minister Joekai said CSA will appreciate the cooperation of the Ministry of Labor to ensure a prompt resolution of the complaint filed.
The dismissed employees in their response to the Ministry’s action through a communication, the aggrieved employees challenged the legality of their dismissals by the Ministry of Labor.
They said it is bizarre to note that the Ministry that should be heralding the perfection of good Labor practices has become the epicenter of bad Labor practices, wrongful dismissals, misrepresentation and misinterpretation of a clearly written law of the Country.
“We feel that this will clear our names from the unwanted reputational damages of the action and we believe that such action was taken unilaterally without consensus and proper reference check”, they added.
The aggrieved employees who also challenged the legality of their dismissals also refuted assertions in the dismissal letter dated June 19, 2024 stating that they were in Gbarpolu on June 14, 2024 allegedly exhibiting conducts unbecoming of an employee in public service.
Citing few reasons to justify why their dismissals were illegal, the aggrieved employees wondered and questioned what embarrassment according to the dismissal press release, did their authorized action by uncovering the working of eleven Illegal aliens in the Country without alleged work permits amounting to US$44, 000 violation bring to the Ministry of Labor.
They explained further that on June 15, 2024, they arrived in Gbarpolu County with an authorized document duly signed by the Inspector General of Labor and the Assistant Minister for Planning and Manpower Development who was acting then as the Deputy Minister of Planning and Manpower Development at the Ministry respectively.
Commenting on the alleged illegal component of their dismissals through a communication addressed to the Deputy Minister of Administration, Othello P. Mansuo, the aggrieved Labor employees stated that how can the Ministry dismissed them referencing chapter 4, section 2/4.2.2 d, of the Civil Service standing orders by quoting it partially and not in its entirety.
Chapter 4 section 2/4.2.1 according to them states, “When a case of misconduct or general inefficiency is brought to the attention of the Agency’s Head or Director General, disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated only after the employee or officer concerned has been given adequate opportunity to exculpate himself “. Courtesy: Fortune TV
