GCE Board workers reject Minister’s Labour Medals

By Nkwoh Daniel Agbor-Tarh in Buea

From the look of events at the GCE Board, one may conclude without wincing or mincing that the recent grandiose celebration of its 20th anniversary was nothing but a window dressing. Some authorities of the board who collaborated with government against the setting up of the Board in 1993, but who are today feeding fat on its resources, used the the 20th anniversary celebration as a veritable occasion for showmanship and playing to the gallery.

GCE Board Registrar, Humphrey Ekema Monono

                The Median gathered that twenty pioneer workers of the GCE Board, who were  awarded labour medals during the 20th anniversary for meritorious services rendered to the Board, have rejected the medals and have threatened to return them to the Minister of Labour. They complained that the money which was supposed to accompany the medals (which usually equals one month of salary per medal) was not completely paid to them.

                In fact, the laureates were paid one hundred thousand francs each on the eve of the  anniversary celebration and the pay vouchers stated that it was only an advance of the total due. The grumbling workers say this is against the provisions of the labour code which awards financial benefits for labour medal laureates.

                And because the registrar of the GCE Board, Humphrey Monono was somewhat insensitive to the legitimate grievances of the disgruntled workers, the latter took the matter to the SW regional delegate of labour. But the delegate would also not provide a solution to the problem. We learnt that the delegate instead took sides with the Registrar of the GCE Board,to the chagrin of the workers.

                The workers have therefore petitioned the Minister of labour. They have also threatened to return the medals as well as the 100.000 francs they received if nothing is done soon. 

     “We find it difficult to believe the Board’s management when they keep complaining of poor finances, whereas they flaunt their wealth publicly and provocatively. They apply only the laws granting them enormous allowances and advantages, meanwhile we the ordinary employees go about like paupers,” lamented one of the workers, who elected not to be named.

   The workers wondered why some people at the GCE Board who were allegedly  against its creation in 1993 should be the ones who are today greedily enjoying all the benefits that the Board offers.

    “These persons put themselves on very high salaries and even sell service cars to themselves at very low prices. It is alleged that a twelve tonne truck that the GCE Board acquired during the tenure of late Dr. Omer Weyi Yembe, was recently auctioned for one million francs to a young man alleged to be the relative of a senior management staff.

                All our efforts to get to the registrar at the weekend proved futile.  In fact, his phone rang several times but he would not take the call. For his part, the workers’ delegate simply refused to comment when we got him on the phone.