The National Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed an application by over 300 disengaged workers of the Rivers State Transport Management Agency (TIMARIV) challenging their disbandment by the Rivers State Government.
The court ruled that available evidence showed that TIMARIV workers were employed according to the contract of engagement stipulated in their employment letters, and not as civil servants working for the state government.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Government had disengaged the TIMARIV workers in June, 2015.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Kola Olalere held that there was no proof that the disengaged TIMARIV workers were employed as civil servants of the Rivers State Government.
Justice Olalare also held that the disengaged TIMARIV workers were not entitled to allowances, compensation, gratuity and retirement emoluments because their conditions of service did not grant them such rights.
The judge further held that the matter was defective because it was brought through originating summons instead of complaints.
Addressing journalists shortly after the judgement, the state Counsel, Patrick Enebeli said that the judgment has proved that the disengaged TIMARIV workers have no case.
