Public Servants in Nigeria’s Lagos State Government have complained about lack of job security and claimed that they often had to work for two years on probation before being confirmed in their roles.
To add insult to injury, when confirmation is finally offered Public Servants are required to sit an examination for which they pay a fee of N10,000 ($A32.50).
Some Public Servants have started talking to journalists about their grievances, although all wanted to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.
“I quite agree that an officer must stay for a certain probationary period before confirmation,” one officer said.
“However, payment of the fee is an insult.”
The officer said the fee came into existence only three years ago and he questioned on whose authority it was instituted.
“Lagos is the largest and most prosperous State in Nigeria. Why has this suddenly become necessary?” he asked.
Another worker said waiting two years or more before being confirmed was not logical.
“It is too long and then there is a fee at the end of it — just to keep working,” the officer said.
Barrister, Solomon Okedara said that in the private sector, probationary periods usually lasted three months and never longer than six.
“I don’t see any problem about writing an examination for confirmation, but charging a fee is outrageous,” Mr Okedara (pictured) said.
Another barrister, Lekan Alabi said it was an attempt by the Government to casualise the Public Service.
“It is illegal and against international labour practices to bring people on certain terms of employment and introduce other terms before you confirm their labour. It is an unfair labour practice,” Mr Alabi said.
Public Relations Officer at the Civil Service Commission, Wunmi Seriki said two years’ probation was a standard Public Service rule unless stated differently in the letter of appointment.
However, she refused to support the Lagos Government’s charge of a fee to take the confirmation examination.
“I will only answer the part that has to do with the Commission, which has never at any point requested money for confirmation of appointment,” Mrs Seriki said.
“The Commission is responsible for the confirmation of appointment, but not for the conduct of the examination,” she said.
Lagos, 26 October 2021
