Civil Servants And The Inconsistency Of Government In Payment Of Workers Monthly Salary
Project and Seminar material for Public Administration
Abstract
This study was carried out on the civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers monthly salary, using Anambra State as case study. As a descriptive survey design, an item structured instrument developed to reflect the modified 5 points Likert Scale format was used to elicit information from the respondents. The population consisted of 2951 Civil Servants from which a sample of 557 respondents was selected, using a formula developed by Borg and Gall (1973). Whereas percentages and mean ratings were used to answer the research questions, Chi-square (x2) test of independence and T- test for independent large sample, (n> 30) were used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that employees need effective salary administration to achieve high productivity in the civil service. The study found also that poor leadership and lack of political will were the major reasons for inconsistent salary payment policy by some state governments including Anambra State. The study recommends that the government should take the issue of salary administration serious by giving workers a living wage to enable them take care of their basic needs and be better positioned for enhanced productivity and output level in civil service.
Table Of Contents
Preliminary Page(s)
- Title page i
- Certification page ii
- Dedication iii
- Acknowledgement iv
- Abstract v
- Table of content
Chapter One
Introduction
- 1.1 Background to the Study
- 1.2 Problem statement
- 1.3 Objectives of the study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypotheses
- 1.6 Significance of the study
- 1.7 Scope of the study
- 1.8 Organization of study
Chapter Two
Literature Review
- 2.1 Conceptual review
- 2.2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of the Study
- 3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Instrument of the Study
- 3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument
- 3.7 Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
Chapter Four
Presentation Of Data And Analysis
- 4.1 Results
- 4.2 Test of Hypothesis
- 4.3 Discussion of Research Results
Chapter Five
Conclusion And Recommendations
- 5.1 Conclusion
- 5.2 Recommendations
- References
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Reports that public service workers in more than half of Nigeria’s 36 states, at the last count are being owed salaries of between three and eight months by their governments have further highlighted the leadership deficit which citizens have had to endure over the years. If this seeming state of financial bankruptcy is disgraceful, more shameful is the leadership bankruptcy that has engendered it. Of course, to continually demand workers’ loyalty by the governments in default is antithetic to any claims of good governance and in states where they have so acted, the workers are justified to go on strike. Nothing at best also advertised the insensitivity of affected governors (and, without shame, the political parties) to the plight of their people as they hit the campaign trail early in the year to solicit for votes to keep them in power.
However, the current chief executives in the states, old or new, have to find means of redressing this unfortunate development in the shortest time frame because a labourer is deserving of his wages. Owing workers unjustifiably and for no fault of theirs is indefensible; families should be spared this ordeal. In fact, the change preached so vociferously by the current dispensation must start with the settlement of the salary commitments as a priority of the states concerned and, where applicable, the federal service.
It is a fact too that many of the states are contending with bloated workforces they either inherited, or created for political patronages but cannot cater for. The appointments into those offices at whatever level lack honesty of purpose. The governors should, however, be creative enough to improve on their revenue drive to honor their commitments.
It is also on record that many of the governors hardly present themselves as models of good governance with lifestyles that are flamboyant or too extravagant for comfort. It is rather unfortunate indeed that some of the governors who are too quick to plead helplessness and seek understanding on the sliding fortunes of the country’s economy due to falling oil prices had enough funds to pursue their political ambitions and even donate to parties’ purses during the campaigns. They have also always found enough to charter private jets for their travels and sustain a luxurious lifestyle. In no unmistakable terms, a number of the governors have proven themselves unworthy of their offices. They are mere opportunists, incapable of human and material resources management.
Certainly, a total dependence of many states on federal allocations has never been and will never be a way out, thus raising again the question of fiscal federalism. The nation certainly must retrace its step to genuine federalism. Monthly allocations to the states are not shared on equal basis as some receive far in excess of others for some statutory reasons. It cannot be justified, therefore, when all states are required by labour provisions to pay workers the same salary payment. Each state deserves to negotiate with its workers to enable it pay salaries well and regularly too. States must also be encouraged to explore and invest in resources in their domains, pay royalties to the federal authorities and have access to more revenue.
However, the current crisis may necessitate federal assistance in whatever form to bail out affected states even if on agreed terms of repayment over a period. The national embarrassment on display now need not go on any longer (Editorial Board, The Guardian, 2019).
It is no longer news that for a long time in Nigeria, workers in the public and private sector have suffered at the hands of their the government who have simply refused to pay them the salaries as and when due. Matters got to a head following the drastic drop in the price of oil, a development which affected revenue due to the states from the Federation account and ultimately, their ability to pay their workers. As a matter of fact, it became so bad that at a time, 33 of the 36 states of the Federation were reportedly incapable of paying their workers. A report on the findings by a Civic organization on the subject in November 2016 stated as follows: 33, out of the 36 states of the Federation, are unable to fulfill recurrent obligations. In 2019, BudgIT said only 19 states were in that situation. Before the current administration of President Muhammad Buhari officially declared that Nigeria was in a recession, few months ago, 17 states were reportedly able to meet up with recurrent needs, but, according to BudgIT’s report, only three states can now meet recurrent obligations. A report released by the organization titled ‘State of States’ showed that only Lagos, Rivers and Enugu are the states that can fulfill obligations to its workers. Akwa Ibom reportedly placed last on the table of ability to meet monthly recurrent expenditure commitments followed by Bayelsa, Oyo and Osun, said BudgIT. Other weak states, according to BudgIT are Ogun, Plateau, Delta, Kwara, Adamawa, Abia, Benue, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Cross River, Kogi, Imo, Ondo, Nassarawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Ekiti, Sokoto Borno and Taraba. Zamfara, Gombe, Anambra, Niger, Katsina, Ebonyi, Edo and Kebbi were classified as states with fair shortfalls.”
Regrettably, workers in the private sector have not been spared the agony of unpaid salaries. Much like their counterparts in the private sector, they have been faced with the same frustrations associated with working without pay. Where a worker is unable to receive his salary, it is not improbable that even those around him and particularly his dependents will suffer. He will be unable to take care of basic issues such as rent, food, and healthcare. His children will not only starve, they will also in all probability be sent home from school thereby bringing untold emotional suffering to the family. These are all factors which ultimately will affect productivity. Some months back it was also reported that Judges were owed salaries of upwards of three months. This should never have been allowed to happen.
Sometimes ago, the Institute of Credit Administration advocated that Nigeria should transit from a cash and carry based economy to a credit based one in which citizens would be able to purchase items on credit and pay in instalments from their identifiable income. It was argued that such a transition would even reduce corruption as the requirement to pay fully before enjoying a service is one of the factors that currently encourages corruption. While this may have worked in other countries, the reluctance of Nigerian the government to pay their workers’ salaries as and when due is one that is bound to work against such a transition to a credit based system. Overall it also negatively affects the economy it stunts the growth of the middle-class without which no country can aspire to economic development.
Yet non-payment of salary is a situation which I believe is totally avoidable. A prudent employer, be it a government or a private company must be able to budget adequately for the payment of its workers. Thus with proper planning there should be no excuse for non-payment of salaries. If governments can budget for the upkeep of political appointees and the operation of political structures, then I do not see why payment of workers salary should attract lesser attention. Non-payment of salaries however one looks at it is unfair, improper, and an invitation to crime and anarchy. It can be agree more with HonourableGbajabiamila when he stated that: If we must fight corruption, workers’ salaries must be paid promptly because a worker deserves his wages. It infringes on the right to life, which is determined by the quality of that life. It infringes on the right to dignity because the person goes begging from neighbours, family and friends to feed his children. It builds resentment. You cannot tell a child who sees the effects of his parents not being paid, to be patriotic. It encourages criminality; if we talk about security, we must talk about prompt payment of salaries.” (Afe Babalola SAN, CON, 2017).
1.2 Problem statement
The multiplier effect of earned but unpaid wages is real. The worker suffers, the immediate family and dependents suffer, society is worse off for harboring stress-filled human beings who are not proud to call themselves citizens and lifespan is gradually shortened. In the face of all of these, the so-called leaders live in the clouds, do little to redress the hopelessness and, at the same time, glory in their cluelessness on governance.
With the way Nigeria is structured or the states are made to function, there is no economy outside of civil service. If civil servants, teachers and the like are not paid, nothing else happens. What then obtains in Nigeria today is a cycle of distrust between governors and the governed who have been pauperized into submission.
While it is understandable that most of the problems that have brought about the shortfall in revenue are not unique to Nigeria, what does appear to be peculiar to Nigeria is the ease with which the government of labor abandon their obligations to pay salaries at the slightest of excuses. The failure to pay a worker his salary is one that is bound to have profound effect on the country.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of the study is to examine the civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers monthly salary.
Specifically, the study sought to:
- The relationship between salary payment and employee performance in the civil service.
- The constraints to inconsistent salary payment by state governments in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were considered very germane to the study and therefore they were raised to guide the study.
- How significant is the relationship between effective salary payment in Civil service and employee’s performance?
- What are the constraints to inconsistent salary payment by some states in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
- HO1: The relationship between effective salary payment in civil service and employee’s performance is not significant.
- HO2: There is no significant difference in the opinion of the respondents regarding what constitutes constraints to inconsistent salary payment by some state governments in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the study
The findings and the recommendations there after of this study will be of immense benefit to the government and in particular the government of Anambra State were the study is taking place. This is because, the relationship between the government and the workers through their representatives (labour unions), would be strengthened and made more cordial by the report. Both government and the unions will see the need to always jaw-jaw- that war- war because, all over the world, dialogue has become the most effective means of settling disagreement even among nations or regions. This is with the understanding that harmonious co-existence would lead to improved productivity and output in civil service.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study is carried out on civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers monthly salary. The study is limited to Anambra State civil service.
1.8 Organization of study
The study is structured into five chapters.
- Chapter one is the introductory chapter. It provided an overview of the context in which the research was conducted.
- Chapter two is the literature review and was based on other researchers’ viewpoint on the topic.
- Research Methodology chapter, which is chapter three, described the procedure of data collection and the techniques used in the survey with reference to the objectives of the study.
- Chapter four is the Data Collection and Analysis.
- Chapter five is about Conclusions and Recommendations.
Chapter Five
Conclusion And Recommendations
5.1 Conclusion
Salary payment is an aspect of industrial relations. It is one of the many areas of interaction between civil servants and government or employees and management. Therefore, cordial relationship must exist between government and the civil servants for organizational goals to be realized. The civil servants in Anambra State are not paid living wages and as a result, many engage in other means of earning extra income for lively hood and sustenance. Poor salaries and wages contribute to corruption and un-productivities. Reasonable evidence exist in literature that adequate and regular salary are some of the motivational factors that civil servants need to be efficient and productive. Unfortunately, experience from the field (respondent opinion) did not suggest that civil servant in the state are so encouraged. In fact inefficiency, unproductiveness and corrupt practices observable in the system were necessitated by poor salary payment within the period under study.
The excuse that inconsistent salary payment policy is as a result of government’s learn resources is unfounded. Government has the capacity to implement the policy but the problem is weak leadership and misplacement of priority. Other problems leading to inconsistent salary payment are corruption, over bloated work force which leads to low productivity and lack of political will to improve condition of service for civil servants.
5.2 Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusion made from this study, the following recommendations were made:
The government should endavour to identify the needs of the civil servant and address them promptly so that the employee can be at their best all the times. This is in line with Maslow’s theory of Hierarchy of needs, human beings have many needs that are different in nature, ranging from biological need at lower level to psychological need at the upper level.
The success or failure of any government is a function of its relationship with the employees. In the light of this, the government should give priority to the welfare of those in its employment because they can make or move government programmes.
Salary payment in the state should be seen as a very serious issue by the government. In fact, government should set-up a standing-committee for salaries and wages review at regular intervals of not more than five years. This will take care of effect of inflation on civil servants salary and as well reflect the real economic realities in the economy.
The government should maintain optimal size of workforce. This they can do by stopping the politically motivated employment which has encouraged redundancy and low productivity. Instead, the government should pay unemployment allowance to the unemployed while creating enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and give employment to the people.
Finally, government should always enhance the salary of civil servants so that their take-home pay can provide at least their basic needs so as to dissuade the few corrupt ones from engaging on sharp practices as a result of insecurity arising from such inadequate salary. It is believed that the nonchalance and laxity currently being observed among some civil servants is as a result of loss of confidence in the government to fulfill its own part of the contract of employment between it and its employees.
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