Lack Of Health Benefits; Harsh Working Conditions Requiring Workers To Buy Own Brooms
Street sweeper under the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has raised serious concerns over unpaid wages, excessive salary deductions, and harsh working conditions, calling on the agency’s leadership to address their grievances.
In a passionate appeal directed at LAWMA’s CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and other top officials, the worker in a video seen by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, lamented what she described as “inhumane treatment” despite their crucial role in keeping Lagos clean.
According to the worker, they were promised a salary increase to N85,000 in August 2024, yet they have continued to receive as little as N30,000 to N40,000, with unexplained deductions.
Additionally, she alleged that the N25,000 presidential wage allowance approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been cut down to ₦10,000 for them, and even that is not paid consistently.
The worker expressed frustration over having to buy their own work tools, including brooms that cost N1,000 each, without receiving any allowances for equipment.
Despite facing extreme working conditions, including exposure to harmful dust and traffic hazards, the worker claimed that they receive no health benefits or risk allowances.
She also alleged that at least three sweepers lost their lives on duty last year due to work-related hazards, with little to no compensation for their families.
The worker argued that while LAWMA executives enjoy food, transport, and medical benefits, those doing the actual labor are left struggling.
She also questioned the contract system under which they are employed, stating that even if deductions were necessary, they should not exceed N10,000, unlike the N45,000 currently being withheld.
The worker said, “Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, CEO of LAWMA, we are calling on you. We are pleading with you, sir. Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, head of the copy cartel at LAWMA, we are begging you, Ma. Mr. Oluwakemi Sulaimon, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, Executive Director of Finance at LAWMA, we are calling on you. We are pleading in the name of God. Mrs. Modupe O. O., Mrs. Julian, and others in leadership, we are begging you.
“We do not understand why we are being treated so unfairly. It is absolutely wrong; it is inhumane. We acknowledge that you are our bosses, and without you, we may not have these jobs. However, without us, the workers on the streets, LAWMA itself would not function.
“Why, then, are we treated with such wickedness? You sit comfortably in your offices, making decisions that affect us without considering the hardship we endure. You do not provide us with tools or allowances, yet we are expected to buy our own brooms and equipment.
“Since August 2024, we have heard that our minimum wage has been increased to N85,000, but till now, we have not received it. Our supervisors and COs keep postponing the payment while the cost of living continues to rise daily. Food, transportation, and other necessities are becoming more expensive.
“We need at least two to three brooms per month, and each broom costs ₦1,000. Yet, you only paid us ₦30,000 throughout last year, instead of the promised ₦85,000. Isn’t this wickedness?
“We had hoped that January 2025 would be different, but it was just the same. Worse still, salaries are always paid late. The N25,000 allowance our able President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved for us—you are only giving us N10,000, and even that is inconsistent. You are literally eating the fruits of our hard labour, and God will judge you.
“Many workers are afraid to speak out or make videos, fearing they might lose their jobs. You know this, which is why you continue to exploit us. You claim that LAWMA operates under a contract system, and we accept that.
“However, even contract workers deserve fair wages. In February, instead of paying the full N85,000, you paid us only N40,000. Out of this, we must buy brooms, pay for transportation, and still feed our families. Meanwhile, the contractors securing these contracts earn more than those of us doing the actual work. How is this fair?
“While you in the office receive food, transportation, and health allowances, we work in dangerous conditions with no benefits. At least three people lost their lives while working last year. One woman died from shock after nearly being hit by a trailer. Others suffered fatal complications from inhaling dust and sand while sweeping, yet there was no compensation. Even when a compensation claim is made, the N1 million payout is extremely difficult to access.
“We are not asking for too much—just our rightful salaries. Even factory cleaners earn more than us. If deductions must be made due to the contract system, it should not exceed N10,000, yet you are deducting N45,000 from our pay.”
“You sit comfortably in your offices, believing we are powerless. But know this, if LAWMA workers refuse to work for just three days, Lagos will be in chaos. We are pleading with you: do the right thing and pay us our full salaries. The deductions are too much,” she added.