By William Sunday D. Tor
Public service workers constitute the foundation upon which state institutions stand. They are the backbone of government administration and the force that ensures the continuity of public services and the functioning of national institutions. Respecting their dignity and protecting their rights is not merely a moral obligation; it is a reflection of the state’s respect for itself and its national sovereignty.
However, the policy adopted by the National Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to channel the salaries of public service workers through commercial banks has gradually transformed from an administrative measure, allegedly aimed at combating corruption and eliminating ghost workers, into a continuous source of suffering and humiliation for thousands of employees across state institutions.Instead of facilitating workers’ access to their salaries, this policy has exposed them to long hours of waiting outside banks and to complicated and degrading procedures when attempting to withdraw their already meager wages.
In many cases, workers are deprived of the freedom to access their own money, as some banks impose unjustified withdrawal limits or decide for customers the amount they are permitted to withdraw, despite the fact that the money in those accounts legally belongs to them.Repeated complaints have emerged regarding Horizon Bank, where many public service workers report recurring difficulties in accessing banking services even during official working hours.
Some customers also complain of being denied entry into the bank or being treated in a manner lacking respect and professionalism, deepening their feelings of humiliation and frustration.What further intensifies the sensitivity of this issue is that some of these practices are reportedly carried out by foreign employees and managers working within the country, a situation many citizens view as an affront not only to the dignity of public workers but also to the prestige of the state itself.
The humiliation of a government worker in his or her own country is not merely a personal insult; it is an insult to the nation and its institutions.For many public service workers, commercial banks have ceased to function as service institutions meant to safeguard clients’ rights and facilitate transactions. Instead, they have become places of daily suffering and psychological humiliation.
This comes at a time when workers are already enduring severe economic hardships, salary delays, and the continuous rise in the cost of living.The dignity of public service workers is inseparable from the dignity of the nation. A state that fails to protect its workers from humiliation gradually loses the confidence of its citizens and weakens the credibility and authority of its own institutions.
Therefore, the time has come for the Council of Ministers to intervene urgently to end the suffering of public service workers by reconsidering the policy of forcing employees to receive their salaries through commercial banks. The government should also seriously consider establishing specialized workers’ banks dedicated to providing financial services that respect human dignity and protect the rights of employees with professionalism, transparency, and fairness.
Protecting the dignity of public service workers is not merely a financial or administrative matter; it is a national responsibility that reflects the extent to which the state respects its institutions and those who serve them faithfully every day.
May God Almighty bless our beloved Country
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