Hundreds of street sweepers in Edo State yesterday took to the streets of Benin City, the Edo State capital to protest over their N17,800 monthly pay.
The women dressed in their overall work jackets, brandished placards with different inscriptions, such as, “We are tired of 17,800 monthly payment”; “Increase our salaries,” among others.
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Speaking to journalists at the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Madam Gloria Efosa said they have been working with the 17,800 minimum wage increased by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration, and that they have approached the general manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe , but was told that they are not part of government workforce.
“Since, Obaseki became governor, we have been working with the minimum wage that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration increased. When we went to the General Manager of the Waste Management Board (Mr Charles Imariagbe) he told us that, we don’t have employment letters and that Obaseki said that he does not know us as his workers. But if they want to do anything, they will come and pack us to go do cleaning for them.
“On Saturday, July 1, after we have finished doing our job, they came packed us to go and clean up dirt in New Benin Market. After they have used us to do the dirty job, we wanted to talk of the poor payment, but they did not allow us talk about it and that is why we are here.
“With the Nigerian economic situation, what will somebody buy with 17,000. If you have five children, how do you pay rent, school fees and feed with N17,000. That is why we are here, they even blocked us at Urokpota Hall. A woman blocked us on the road and told us that if we protest to Government House, we are going to lose our jobs. We are tired, that is why we are here.”
She said one of their colleagues was killed on duty on the 18th of April, 2023 and nothing was given to the family as at today.
“One of our colleagues was crushed by a hit-and-run car, while on duty on the 18th of April. She was taken to UBTH mortuary, but they rejected it, because she was badly crushed and nothing has been given to the family,” she added.
Responding, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe told the protesters to go about the protest peacefully and not allow miscreants infiltrate their midst. He also pleaded with them to also give chance for negotiation, if need be.
Reacting, the general manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe, said they were considering increasing their take home.