Lagos sweeper laments poor pay, seeks govt intervention
A street sweeper working with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency has spoken out against alleged exploitation by her superiors, citing poor earnings and harsh working conditions.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the sweeper, who did not reveal her name, accused her supervisors of shortchanging workers and failing to implement the approved salary structure.
She alleged that despite reports that their salary had been increased to N85,000 since August 2024, sweepers continued to receive N30,000 for months.
According to her, the workers were also left to bear the cost of their work tools without any allowance.
The sweeper also raised concerns over the delay in salary payments, noting that their monthly salary often arrives by the 13th or 15th of the following month.
She said, “People should please help us and ask these people, I am not very sure that it is blood that is running in your veins because we don’t understand why you are cheating us. We know that you are our bosses. You sat in your office and did not pity those of us working on the road. We buy our brooms without any allowance. We learnt that the salary became N85,000 in August but our supervisors kept promising to pay the amount despite the high cost of living.
“We buy up to three brooms at N1000 each in a month but you have been paying us 30,000 for almost six months. We thought it would change last January but it didn’t. Even the N30,000 is not being paid on time until the 13 or 15th of the following month.”
Even the N20,000 award wages that the President asked you to pay, we are only paid N10,000. Sometimes, only 10 people or four people will receive along each route.”
Beyond the financial struggles, she lamented the dangerous conditions under which street sweepers operate, revealing that at least three of her colleagues lost their lives last year.
“One person died from the shock of a trailer horn, while two others died after developing complications from inhaling dust. We want you to make an amendment,” she disclosed.
Efforts to get an official response from the spokesperson for LAWMA, Shade Kadiri, were unsuccessful as of press time.
A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
