Happy Workers’ Day to LAWMA

About 10 days ago, countries around the world celebrated the International Workers Day. Apart from being a day where workers have an official holiday during a work day, it is also a day countries are expected to celebrate their workers. Workers in the public and private sector are celebrated for their innumerable contributions to human and societal development. When one thinks of development, it is easy to erroneously conclude that development is the sole result of the work of white-collar workers: intellectuals and economic leaders in society, the men and women who dress corporately and speak eloquently. Unfortunately, we seem to forget easily the work of several others—blue collar workers—who, though not necessarily intellectuals, play an indispensable role in development through manual work.

This disparity between the white collar workers and the blue-collar workers has made several people, including the young generation, reject the manual work. Over the years, blue-collar workers have been stigmatised, disrespected and denied due dignity. While white-collar workers, the brains, are handsomely paid for their knowledge work; blue-collar workers, the brawn, are paid a pittance for their donkey work. The human worth of manual workers is judged by what they do and not who they are. Consequently, most people want to have a white-collar job; since well-dressed people with fancy titles get all the respect. Those without the intellectual capacity for a degree and even those with great technical talent all want to go to the university. This has led to the dearth of our technical institutions. No one wants to be a tailor, carpenter, bricklayer, plumber, auto-mechanic, or electrician. How the declining number of blue-collar workers is under-developing our economy and the need to revamp technical education is a topic for another day.

Although I must concede that in the past few years the appreciation of blue-collar workers is growing. We are beginning to realise that an academic degree is not everything; that both the white and blue-collar workers are necessary for the smooth running of any institution or society, that without either an institution can never run smoothly. This has led for example, to the custom of retiring principal officers when making their farewell speeches to mention and appreciate blue-collar workers for their efforts. Whether these actions come from the heart or are merely out of routine, go a long way to boost the confidence, relevance and dignity of current and future blue-collar workers.

In the spirit of workers day, I have decided to dedicate my column to appreciate the staff of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) whose work is sometimes unnoticed. We don’t see them early every morning sweeping the streets because we’re busy looking out for the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA), Kick against Indiscipline (KAI), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), area boys and agebros. A friend once said that the presence and activities of these agencies further frighten and frustrate in an already frightening and frustrating Lagos. We are preys ever alert to the hunter oblivious of the branch we’ve perched upon.

Every day of the week, these men and women in orange, responsible for collecting and disposing both industrial and commercial waste, clearing drains and sweeping our streets discharge their duty honourably. Thanks to them, despite other challenges, Lagos is made habitable. I doubt if they have ever gone on a strike. Imagine Lagos isn’t cleaned for two days. It would be sad that the day we recognise and appreciate how indispensable LAWMA is when our streets are piled with trash. The value of their silent daily work will then become glaring

Often I have watched the officials of LAWMA work. I have seen men, women, young and not too old working with LAWMA. I have overheard some of them speak quite well which supposes that some may be graduates. Whatever the case I believe they are men and women with great spirits. Some start to work as early as 5:00am before the break of dawn and while returning from work at6:00pm they are still working. Their effort at keeping our streets clean provides an environment where we can work effectively.

I have learnt some things from LAWMA officials which is worth sharing. It’s obvious that they love their work; the way they carry out their tasks unmindful of the filth always amazes me. They also work everywhere regardless of the risk. Some people, even when they are driving, are scared when on the Third Mainland Bridge but LAWMA officials can be seen dutifully carrying out their work. Come rain, come shine; they are at work. They work hard however lowly the job may seem. Society may not respect them, nevertheless they carry on with their duty with pride; whatever we may think, their work is a source of livelihood for themselves and their family. Rather than steal, beg or work as prostitutes they honourably choose to do menial tasks.

I have also noticed that their work requires lots of patience and tolerance. I have seen them return to sweep a spot that was clean a while ago but which has been littered. This is truly humbling and edifying.

It occurred to me that there was no point in writing since the LAWMA officials are unlikely to see it. Even if they don’t, I don’t regard it a waste of effort because I hope those that read it change the way they perceive these officials and subsequently treat them accordingly.

More importantly I call on the governor to see the possibility of improving their welfare. Lagos could also do with a lot more dustbins: at bus stops, on the BRT and at motor parks. It is unimaginable how people are expected to keep Lagos clean when it’s extremely difficult to locate dustbins. More dustbins will lighten the workload of LAWMA officials.

In the spirit of fairness we have to avoid the mentality of dividing work into two opposing classes, one that is creative, intellectual, socially prestigious and the other that is seen as manual, unintellectual and undistinguished. Let’s celebrate and promote all noble jobs.

When one considers how hectic it is to clean ones’ house, we begin to appreciate the immense work these officials are doing to clean the tons of waste we generate. Like many other hidden and under-appreciated blue-collar workers, LAWMA officials are doing a tremendous job. I say thank you for doing the “dirty job”.

We shouldn’t consider it a huge task to say hello to them, to commend their efforts, we like to be appreciated and encouraged. Let’s reciprocate.

 

J.B Nwachukwu

Nwachukwu is a lawyer and a writer. [email protected]