Workers in Osun State are expressing their dissatisfaction with the planned staff audit and workers’ verification initiated by the state government. A new development causing concern is the government’s demand for workers to provide their bank statements as part of the audit process.
Earlier, the Ademola Adeleke administration had informed the state workforce about the upcoming staff audit, with the governor assuring workers that it would help improve the government’s ability to meet their needs. However, labor unions have criticized the exercise, claiming that the government did not involve the workers in the decision-making process, although they clarified that they were not entirely against the audit.
Recently, the academic and non-academic staff of state-owned higher institutions called for the decentralization of the exercise, citing logistical difficulties in gathering all workers in a central location. The unions, including ASUP, COEASU, and Non-academic Staff Union, stated their concerns about the competence of the consultant engaged by the government and demanded a review of the audit procedure or threatened industrial action.
Workers, such as Busola Adebowale and Ademola Olasunkanmi, expressed their dismay at the requirement to submit bank statements for the verification exercise, emphasizing the hardship it would cause. Charity Ogunsanmi questioned the rationale behind the request, arguing that since salaries are already paid through banks, the government should obtain the statements directly from the banks rather than burdening the workers.
The demands imposed by the contractor conducting the audit have heightened apprehension among the workers, as they are now expected to provide bank statements dating back to 2016 and pension statements from 2010.