Hundreds of street sweepers in Edo State, yesterday, took to the streets of Benin City, the Edo State capital, to protest their N17,800 a monthly take home.
The women brandished placards with different inscriptions, such as: “We are tired of N17,820 monthly payment”, “We demand an increase in our monthly salaries”, among others.
Speaking to newsmen at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, one of the sweepers, Madam Gloria Efosa, said they have been working with N17,800 minimum wage increased by the Adams Oshiomhole administration, adding that they had approached the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Charles Imariagbe on the issue, but was told that they are not part of the government’s workforce.
She said: “On Saturday, July 1, after we finished our job, they took us to clean up dirt in New Benin Market. Afterwards, we wanted to talk about the poor payment, but they did not allow us to talk about it and that is why we are here.
“With the present economic situation, what will somebody buy with N17,000? 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 at Government House, we are going to lose our jobs. We are tired, that is why we are here.”
She added that one of their colleagues was killed on April 18, 2023 while on duty and nothing was given to the family as of today.
Reacting, Imariagbe said the matter is before them and that they are considering increasing their take home.
