96 officers to resume jobs

 By SHIRLYN BELDEN

A GROUP of 96 public servants retrenched by Western Highlands 13 years ago will resume duties immediately following a Supreme Court decision to reinstate them. 

Public Employees Association secretary general Guise Kula said last week the court decision was a relief for the officers and the union as they had vigorously fought for 13 years to get their jobs back. 

He said the officers were left without jobs after a mass retrenchment exercise in the province in 2000. 

The officers took a restraining order to stop the exercise but it was not complied with by the administration.

This prompted the association to take up their case. 

“The court decision to reinstate the officers was a victory for the public servants,” Kula said.  

One of the officers, John Kipa, said he was relieved that justice had been served and that he could continue to serve the country in the public service. 

Kipa said he had a hard time trying to support his family. 

The association took up the case on behalf of the officers and another order was taken out in May 2011 but it was dismissed.

 “The administration has caused us hardship for 13 years without jobs to financially support us and our families.

“We can now return to our jobs and positions as the court has directed. We are very grateful,” Kipa said.