I worked diligently for my last employer for twelve years. I was due to retire in December this year because of my age. But in July, just when it seemed like things were gradually getting stable from the pandemic, they gave us an early retirement. It came with less than we expected.
According to the company’s policy, the retirement package includes ₦400,000 in cash, a shopping voucher of ₦100,000, freezer, to mention but a few. To my astonishment, I and all those who were due for retirement this year received the sum of ₦130,000. The company also promised to throw us a retirement party in December.
To say it disappointed me is an understatement, seeing that this is a pinch of our original entitlement. I feel cheated, especially because I had already made plans to invest the bulk money into agriculture and rearing of animals.
I believe the company only used the pandemic as an excuse to swindle us of our benefits, which is injustice. The fact that I cannot meet up with the plans I had already made makes me feel terrible.
I am depending solely on the ride-hailing business, which I started while still working in the company. Though the income is meager, it is all I can fall back on for now.