The conclusion of the Lesotho Housing and Population Census 2026 marked a significant moment, but for over 500 dedicated temporary staff members who took on the roles of Assistant Supervisors and Enumerators, this moment has been overshadowed by an ongoing struggle for fair compensation. I am one of those affected individuals who worked tirelessly during the census period, yet months have passed without receiving our deserved wages.

For more than three months, we have anxiously awaited the payments we rightfully earned, only to face silence and delays. Our unpaid efforts supported the meticulous data collection that will guide our nation's future planning and development. Despite these contributions, we find ourselves not only uncompensated but also facing discrepancies where payment has been made. Some among us received incomplete payments for April and May allowances, and a concerning M350.00 has been consistently omitted from our May allowance, amounting to payment for a lost day's work.

This situation is not just a matter of money—it is about respect and fairness for those who ensured the success of a massive national undertaking. We call upon the Clerk of the National Assembly to address this urgent financial injustice that risks discouraging future civic participation. It is essential we receive the payments that reflect the level of dedication and hard work invested in the 2026 census.

The National Assembly needs to intervene promptly to ensure that these payments are disbursed in full without further delay. This can be achieved by allocating the necessary funds immediately and launching a thorough review of the discrepancies that have occurred. Transparency and accountability must be upheld to prevent such issues in future national projects.

We urge the responsible authorities to hear our plight and act with urgency. Let us stand together to demand justice and ensure that temporary census staff are treated with the fairness and respect deserved, fulfilling their promise of not just conducting a census, but honoring the commitment of those who enabled it's realization.

Please add your signature to this petition to push for immediate action and fair resolution for the hardworking census staff of Lesotho.