For over 15 grueling months, the backs of the cleaners at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, have bent under the weight of an unseen burden—unpaid salaries. These unsung heroes, the women and men who toil silently to keep the university pristine, find themselves battling not just dust and grime but the gnawing pangs of hunger and the crushing weight of mounting debt.
Their plight, a stark reminder of the human cost of contractual failures, has ignited outrage and forced a harsh spotlight on the university’s handling of outsourced labor. Isah Yankari, Chairman of the Campus Cleaners Committee at ATBU, points a finger squarely at the management of the contracting firms, HABITAT and SODANGI, who he holds accountable for the cleaners’ financial woes. “The companies must pay their employees,” Yankari asserts, his voice resolute despite the despair etched on the faces of the cleaners around him. “Any agreements the firms have with the institution are separate.”
Years of Toil, Months of Empty Pockets
The cleaners, most of them women—many widowed and single mothers—have poured their sweat and dedication into maintaining the university’s environment. Their stories paint a heart-wrenching picture. Amina Hassan, a cleaner for eight years, tearfully recounts the struggle to feed her children. “It’s been incredibly difficult,” she says, her voice trembling. With no salary, how do I buy food, pay rent, or send my children to school?
The situation is far from unique. Countless cleaners at ATBU echo Amina’s plight. Months without income have pushed them into a desperate scramble for survival. Many have resorted to borrowing from friends and family, plunging deeper into debt with every passing week. The specter of hunger stalks their homes, leaving them with agonizing choices between basic necessities.
A Frustrating Blame Game
The university administration, however, attempts to distance itself from the crisis. Zailani Bappa, the university’s spokesperson, emphasizes that the responsibility for paying cleaners falls on the management of the contracting firms. We (the university) are not responsible for paying their workers’ salaries,” Bappa declares. He further clarifies that the university is accountable only for fulfilling its contractual obligations with the cleaning companies.
However, this explanation offers little comfort to the cleaners facing a bleak financial reality. The contractual agreements, while shielding the university from direct responsibility, create a web of bureaucracy that leaves them vulnerable.
A Call for Action: Dignity and Fair Treatment
Yankari and the cleaners are not seeking handouts. They demand what is rightfully theirs—the fruits of their honest labor. Their frustrations have boiled over in the past, leading to protests on campus. Yet, their pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears.
The plight of the ATBU cleaners exposes a systemic issue plaguing outsourced labor in Nigeria. It raises critical questions about accountability and the ethical treatment of workers. The university, as the beneficiary of the cleaning services, has a moral responsibility to ensure fair treatment of those who play a crucial role in maintaining its environment.
Beyond the Headlines: Seeking Solutions
The current situation demands immediate action. The relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment, must intervene to investigate the cleaning companies’ practices and ensure compliance with labor laws. Transparent dialogue involving the university, the contracting firms, and the cleaners is essential to finding a sustainable solution.
Furthermore, strengthening regulations governing outsourced labor is crucial. Clearer contractual terms and stricter enforcement mechanisms can prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
The story of the ATBU cleaners is a stark reminder that behind the gleaming buildings of universities lie unseen struggles. It is a tale of broken promises and the human cost of neglected responsibilities. Until justice prevails and the cleaners receive their rightfully earned wages, their plight will serve as a poignant symbol of the fight for dignity and fair treatment in the Nigerian workforce.
