In a recent announcement, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) has informed its freelance journalists and other contract staff members that their employment with the organization will expire on January 31st, 2024.
This was conveyed in a circular dated December 29, 2023, titled “Circular To All Freelance Artists And Contract Staff.”
The reason for this sudden termination remains undisclosed as of the time of this report. A source within BCOS, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the development on Friday afternoon. The source highlighted ongoing internal concerns regarding the welfare and remuneration of contract staff.
The source urged Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and address issues related to the precarious work status that has persisted for over a decade. It was revealed that contract staff members have been on temporary employment with BCOS without regularization into permanent positions under previous administrations.
In response to whether the employment letters provided to contract staff specified an expiry date, the source stated, “No duration of employment was stated; just that they will communicate to us if there would be termination of appointment, which I think has not happened in a very long while.”
According to the circular, contract staff members interested in continuing their service with BCOS have the opportunity to re-apply on or before February 7, 2024.
All contract staff and freelance artists in the service of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State are hereby informed that their employment will expire by the 31st of January, 2024. All contract staff and freelance artists who are interested in renewing their appointment should re-apply on or before 7th February, 2024.
However, series of controversies have been trailing this announcement, as affected staff regards is as a mass sack, while BCOS management has maintained it is just the usual routine contract renewal.
