Former Parliament Staff Seek Benefits and Reinstatement Amid Grievances

Former employees of Sierra Leone's Parliament, who were made redundant, are now seeking the payment of their overdue benefits and possible reinstatement. These staff members, some of whom have been left jobless or have passed away since the layoffs, are appealing to the current Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally, to resolve their long-standing grievances.

The workers, who lost their jobs following a period of internal discord in Parliament, are expressing confidence in Tarawally’s leadership to either restore their positions or ensure they receive their rightful end-of-service benefits. The redundancies stem from a power struggle between Tarawally and the former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Abass Bundu, which culminated in Bundu's resignation. Bundu claimed that his resignation was influenced by a series of unfounded allegations, including accusations of sexual misconduct, which he described as part of a larger smear campaign.

These controversies arose amid allegations of corruption within the Parliamentary Service, including a scandal involving employment practices and financial mismanagement. While Bundu has maintained his innocence, asserting that the accusations were politically motivated to deflect attention from broader issues, the former employees continue to push for justice, either through reinstatement or compensation.

As these broader allegations of corruption and misconduct loom over the institution, the redundant workers remain hopeful for a timely and fair resolution to their claims. Their appeal underscores the need for transparency and accountability within Sierra Leone's legislative body, as they continue to call for decisive action in resolving their longstanding grievances. 

This situation reflects the deeper challenges of governance and administrative fairness in the country, as the former staff seek the support and leadership of the current Clerk to bring about closure.