Casual staff members at Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa (AOPE) are urging Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to grant them full-time employment opportunities. During a press briefing on Monday, the staff made a heartfelt request to the governor, emphasizing their desire to enjoy the benefits and security that come with being regular government employees.
The casual staff members highlighted the challenges they face, including career stagnation and low salaries, especially during these difficult times of fuel subsidy issues. It was also revealed that while other institutions in the state have conducted recruitment exercises, AOPE has not done so under previous administrations. Despite being accredited by the NBTE for more courses, the institution suffers from a severe shortage of staff and lacks sufficient manpower.
Expressing their dissatisfaction, one casual staff member stated that no employment has taken place in the institution in the past eight years, and previous administrations did not address the staffing issue seriously. However, they expressed hope in Governor Makinde’s leadership and his commitment to repositioning the state.
The staff members humbly appealed to Governor Makinde to prioritize the recruitment of staff in their institution, considering the current shortage of manpower. They stressed the vital importance of having full-time and permanent staff to ensure the quality of education provided. The staff members also highlighted the economic benefits of creating decent jobs that provide government benefits, which can help lift people out of poverty.
It was revealed that several letters have been sent to the State Ministry of Education and the Governor, requesting the conversion of casual staff members to full-time positions. It was noted that some of the casual staff members have been working as contract workers for more than eight years, which goes against the provisions of the Labour Act.
The appeal from the casual staff members at Eruwa Poly shines a light on the need for fair and secure employment opportunities in the education sector, and their plea to Governor Makinde for full-time positions demonstrates their dedication to the institution’s growth and development.
