Lagos Street Sweepers Struggle on Low Wages Despite Demands and Dangers

In Lagos, street sweepers face grueling conditions, meager wages, and life-threatening risks as they work to keep the city clean. Despite performing an essential service, these workers, employed by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), struggle daily with inadequate pay, unsafe work conditions, and lack of basic health coverage.

Rianat, a 37-year-old sweeper, is one of many living on the edge. With a monthly salary of just N30,000, she battles poverty and debt while supporting her children. To save on transportation costs, she often walks long distances to work. Her income is quickly depleted by food and other essentials, leaving little for the future.

Similarly, Tope, another sweeper, bears the physical toll of her job. Recently injured, she paid for her own medical treatment after her employer provided no assistance. Her wages are barely enough to survive, with health and safety risks adding to her challenges.

Abosede, who joined LAWMA four years ago in hopes of stability, also faces daily struggles. She endures disrespect from passersby and remains stuck in a cycle of debt, borrowing just to feed her children. The high cost of living and lack of benefits push her deeper into financial hardship each month.

The sweepers work six days a week, starting as early as 6 a.m. Yet, the compensation remains inadequate for the tough job. Coordinators, who oversee the sweepers, share in the frustration, facing the added burden of providing work tools out of their own limited earnings.

Human rights activist Toyin Taiwo-Ojo called for a wage increase, describing the sweepers’ situation as “modern-day slavery.” She stressed that their current earnings are insufficient to meet basic needs, let alone secure a better future for their families.

LAWMA’s spokesperson, Sade Kadiri, noted that quarterly health check-ups and an insurance scheme had been introduced. However, workers and advocates insist that more needs to be done to ensure fair wages, adequate support, and safer working conditions for these vital, yet often overlooked, city workers.

Read also: One Year LAWMA Desert Areas in Lagos, Community Stinks