FEAR AS LAGOS GOVERNMENT FIRES 450 EMPLOYEES

The 450 employees of the Lagos State Water Corporation who were not impacted by the exercise are feeling sad and scared.

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the impacted temporary workers received sack notices and an ultimatum to turn over all government property under their custody. They were taken aback by this.

In an interview with Punch, an unnamed staff member revealed that many of the employees who were let go had been employed by the company for a number of years.

The insider added that in spite of the staff shortfall, the state administration intended to reorganize.

“One of my friends was affected by the decision. She has a family she is taking care of. She doesn’t even know where to start. She left the office weeping last week. Even if they are going to sack anyone, they should have given people more time to find alternatives.

“We don’t have enough staff. As big as this place is, only one person is left to clean it. There were many of us at the maintenance units before. They said they are restructuring, but how many staff will need to be sacked before this is accomplished?”

“One of my friends was affected by the decision. She has a family she is taking care of. She doesn’t even know where to start. She left the office weeping last week. Even if they are going to sack anyone, they should have given people more time to find alternatives.

“We don’t have enough staff. As big as this place is, only one person is left to clean it. There were many of us at the maintenance units before. They said they are restructuring, but how many staff will need to be sacked before this is accomplished?”

Speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Water Corporation, Kehinde Fashola, confirmed some workers were laid off because they breached the contract of agreement.

She said, “The government found out that the Lagos Water management contract staff members have not been in accordance with the contract appointment law. Some of them have been contract staff for 10 years and some for five years, which is not in accordance with the country’s labour law.

“The normal time is two years. So, the government is trying to correct any abnormality without any bias.”