How Casual Workers in Taraba State Government Are Suffering
Casual workers in various ministries and agencies of the Taraba State Government are raising their voices over poor remuneration, lack of permanent employment, and the failure of the government to offer them pensionable positions despite many years of service.
Many of these workers, who mainly occupy positions such as cleaners, security guards, drivers, and office assistants and other junior workers are lamenting their struggles, as they are paid meager wages and often face uncertainty regarding their future.
The casual staff, who have been working in government ministries for years, say they are often the backbone of the operations but receive minimal pay, sometimes as low as 15,000 Naira a month, which barely covers their living expenses.
"All the ministries in Taraba state have casual workers. In fact, we are the ones doing the jobs. Most of those with permanent employment don't even live here in Jalingo or Taraba; they are working for the federal government or running businesses outside the state," one worker said.
"Cleaners, security personnel, drivers, and office assistants (messengers) in Taraba state are mostly casual staff. They are usually paid from the running costs of the ministries. Most of the time, it's table payment, and it's difficult to put a figure on how many we are."
A worker, who asked to remain anonymous, shared that he has been working at the Government House in Jalingo for over 18 years without permanent employment. "We work as gardeners and cleaners, but we are not permanent staff. I've spent more than 15 years here and have followed all these politicians, hoping that in our old age, we can get some benefits. But they usually fail us. What they pay us is very small, but we survive on handouts from these politicians and big people who come around."
The worker also lamented that some of their colleagues had been secretly selected and granted employment by high-ranking officials in the Government House during the previous administration.
They further noted that some Corps members who recently completed their service had been granted employment by the same government that continues to deny them pensionable jobs.
The workers also said they had undergone several screenings in the name of being "permanent" but had yet to receive any permanent employment status.
At the Specialist Hospital in Jalingo, over 300 casual workers are reportedly working tirelessly for poor compensation. They claim to receive only 15,000 Naira each month while their permanent colleagues enjoy much higher salaries.
At the Ministry of Environment, it was reported that some casual workers were asked to bring 100 tubers of yam and one goat before being considered for appointments. Those who refused to comply with this demand were reportedly asked to vacate the premises immediately.
In the Ministry of Agriculture, around 50 casual staff continue to work hard from morning to evening but are paid only 15,000 Naira a month.
These issues reportedly persist across nearly all ministries in the state, with no immediate solutions in sight. Many of these workers have been employed since the regime of former Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, continuing into the present administration under Governor Agbu Kefas.
The workers expressed frustration, describing the current situation as an unjustified hardship. "The attitude of 'baboon de work, monkey de chop' should be wiped out immediately. We are calling on Governor Agbu Kefas to employ us permanently as most of us have families to support," they stated.
A top government official, speaking to Taraba Truths and Facts, said several factors are hindering the permanent employment of casual workers in the state. "There are many reasons for this. Some workers followed an appointee into office as personal aides but refuse to leave when the appointee departs. There is also no proper record of casual workers employed by the state government. Every ministry or agency just hires people informally without following due process. For example, a commissioner might bring his uncle as a security guard, and the ministry will pay him. After the commissioner's tenure ends, the uncle stays on, hoping for a miracle."
The official continued, "Additionally, if the government requests a list of casual staff to be employed, it would be difficult to obtain an accurate list because politicians often manipulate the list to include their own people who were not originally part of it. The current administration has started efforts to improve their conditions, but it is a gradual process."
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