Obasanjo Library sends workers on ‘temporary lay-off ’
In what was tagged “temporary cessation,” the management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, has asked its workers to go home until further notice following the effect of the COVID - 19 on its business.
OOPL is founded by Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that apart from some top members of staff, cleaners and security guards were most affected by the “temporary lay - off.”
The sprawling OOPL which has various units including a guest house, zoo, cinema, halls, bar, and car wash among others, was battling delay in the payment of salaries before coronavirus worsened the situation, findings revealed.
One of the workers at the security unit told Daily Trust on Sunday, “We were owed up to four months salaries last year before it was cleared.”
The source said a number of workers were equally owed between two and three months leave bonus.
A letter signed by the Library’s Head of Human Resources, Administration and Procurement, Olanike Ogunleye, conveyed the decision of the management to the workers.
The letter indicated that the affected workers would be recalled when business picks up, saying they were not eligible to any payment “during the period of cessation.”
“As you are aware, the current COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll on all our business significantly. This has resulted to making some difficult business decisions. Due to this situation, we regret to inform you that your employment will be put on hold till further notice.
Our correspondent who visited premises of OOPL located at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta yesterday, observed grave silence in the vicinity.
Contrary to what’s obtainable in the past, only five security guards were seen at the two gates of OOPL alongside two supervisors on ground to secure the environment.
The Managing Director, Vitalise Ortese, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the decision was informed by the reality of the period, saying “we didn’t make single kobo since March.”
He described as mischief, reports by a section of online news platforms that the organization sacked its workers.
“We did not sack anybody. It was clearly stated there, temporary cessation. We have not made a kobo since March 16 or thereabout. No bailout and we didn’t get palliative from the government. How do we pay salaries? It’s normal we have to allow people go temporarily.
“It happens everywhere. Banks are laying off and other organizations have asked people to go home. Everyone is affected, including me. All members of staff are affected. Obasanjo’s children are affected, even Obasanjo himself is affected,” Ortese told our correspondent.