Government worker disputes ministry’s transfer claims, says officials “lying”

A government security worker is hitting back at Ministry of Works officials, calling their explanation for her recent job transfer “false” and accusing them of dishonesty in their public statements about the circumstances surrounding her reassignment.

Valerie Otto, who was transferred from her position at Burma Quarry to Adoms Building on August 1st, directly refuted claims made by Ministry Communications Officer Damani Tabor that she had requested the transfer on July 30th in the presence of HR executive Ms. Hamlin.

Otto provided a detailed timeline that contradicts the ministry’s version of events. She explained that she initially requested a transfer on July 14th when she approached the coordinator, Mr. Thomas, seeking to move away from a problematic situation with a colleague named Mr. Samuel.

“I went to Mr. Thomas on the 14th of July, and I told him I would like a chance because the guy, Mr. Samuel, we had a problem with him,” Otto explained. “I told him I don’t want to work there because I don’t want to interact with Mr. Samuel. I want my peace of mind.”

According to Otto, Thomas denied her request at that time, telling her, “I’m a good worker. He doesn’t want to remove me from there.” She said she accepted the denial and returned to her position.

The transfer only materialized, Otto claims, after industrial action began at the ministry. “When the whole strike comes forward now, this on the Wednesday that was the 30th… my supervisor then called me and said that I’m being transferred to Adoms Building,” she said.

Otto strongly disputed Tabor’s claim that she had made a recent request on July 30th or that HR was involved in the process. “I never saw the HR I went to Mr. Thomas in his office and the way he denied my request then and then magically on the 30th of July he told the supervisor he’s going to move me from the quarry to Adoms Building.”

Otto maintains her position that the timing of the transfer—coinciding with the industrial action—demonstrates retaliation for her participation in the labor dispute. Despite the controversy, she remains defiant about continuing to advocate for workers’ rights.

“This is why I’m going to forever stand up. If they want to fire me, they can’t fire me,” Otto declared.

The conflicting accounts highlight tensions between workers and management at the Ministry of Works, where industrial action has been ongoing over workers’ rights issues. Otto has previously stated that workers lack adequate representation, which led to the current dispute.