Thousands of federal workers in Nigeria have been subjected to a dehumanizing and chaotic verification exercise in Abuja, the nation’s capital, after being declared ghost workers by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHSF).
The workers, whose salaries stopped in September 2023, were ordered to converge at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) for verification. However, the process was poorly organized, resulting in deaths, injuries, and miscarriages.
According to a letter addressed to the OHSF by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), a body representing the workers, some workers from Bauchi and Borno states died on their way to Abuja for the exercise. Two workers collapsed at the venue, a pregnant woman lost her pregnancy, and 70 people were injured due to overcrowding and stampede.
The letter also revealed that the sanitary facilities at the venue were overstretched, as the place was littered with human waste. The workers were turned into refugees, as most of them did not have resources to cater for accommodation and feeding for the duration of the exercise.
The JPSNC condemned the exercise as violating human rights and labor standards and called for its decentralization to the state capitals to avoid further casualties. It also demanded the payment of October 2023 salaries of the affected workers, which was also stopped alongside the verification exercise.
The council also criticized the OHSF for excluding labor from the committee for the exercise, which contravened the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention that stipulates tripartite arrangements on matters that affect workers.
The verification exercise is part of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), a government initiative to centralize payroll and personnel records of public servants. The government claims that IPPIS will enhance public service efficiency, accountability, and transparency.
However, many workers have complained of irregularities, delays, and salary errors since implementing IPPIS. Some unions have also resisted IPPIS, citing its infringement on their autonomy and collective bargaining rights.
The verification exercise has also been criticized by civil society groups and human rights activists, who have described it as a manifestation of bad governance and corruption in Nigeria. They have called for an investigation into the alleged ghost workers and those responsible for their inclusion in the payroll.
The OHSF has not responded to the letter by JPSNC or the allegations of mismanagement and negligence. However, sources within the office said that efforts are being made to address the challenges and improve the welfare of the workers.
According to the OHSF, the verification exercise will end by November 2023. The office has also assured all verified workers will receive outstanding salaries and entitlements.
Many workers hope that the exercise will be completed soon and that their ordeal will end. They also hope that IPPIS will deliver on its promise of improving public service delivery and accountability in Nigeria.
Source: Tribune Online
