Published 6th Mar, 2021

By Damilola Ayeni

A monthly earning of N14,700 is not enough to fund a basic life, a female street sweeper in the Maryland area of Lagos has lamented.

The mother of one, who asked not to be named, was full of tears when she shared her experience with FIJ days ago.

“They pay us N14,700, virtually nothing compared to what we do,” said the employee of Highway Managers, an environmental firm working in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. “And then our bosses will still fight us that we are not doing the work well enough.”

According to her, the salary amounts to N490 daily, over 60% percent of which goes to transport.

“My daily transport fee is N300,” she said. “It would have been more if I wasn’t staying somewhere close till weekend when I go to my place in Iyana Ipaja.”

She also said that there is no arrangement for health insurance despite the numerous risks associated with work on the highway.

“Many have died while doing this job, and their families have got little compensation,” she said. “Passers-by also treat us with contempt. This job is just like being a maid. “

FIJ spoke with several street sweepers under Highway Managers and all of them confirmed the N14,700 salary.

In an earlier report, FIJ had told the story of underpaid street sweepers under the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).

The Federal Government has reviewed minimum wage twice in the last 10 years. From the benchmark of N7,500 for the lowest ranking workers, it rose to N18, 000 in 2011, and N30, 000 in 2019.

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