Edo State workers to get 15% pay rise

x | May 02, 2008

The Edo State government is to implement a 15 per cent salary increase for its workers after the state government’s implementation of 9.5 per cent of the 15 per cent recommended by the Federal Government in 2007.

Governor Osereheimen Osunbor said: “As you may be aware, the wage bill of the state when this administration came on board in May 2007 was about N800 million.

With the implementation of the new minimum wage, the wage bill has risen to N1.3 billion, inspite of this increase, we have ensured that the December 2007 salaries and pensions were paid before Christmas.

I congratulate the various trade unions and indeed all workers on this occasion, I wish you happy May day celebration”,

The state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) complained about insecurity in the state and also condemned the use of external consultants while there are experts within the system.

He said "Mass unemployment, unrestricted living and insensitivity of the political class in the display of affluent, ungodly acquisition and accumulation of wealth to satisfy primitive taste by the elites and inordinate ambition of the youths are recognisable predisposing factors which must be addressed by all concerned.

“However, we are very worried because there are cases where external consultants are used when in-house staff have the necessary skills and technical expertise".

Apart from the duplication of resources and the attendant negative financial implications, it is certainly demoralising to the workers. If the “Boys” must be given jobs, please make them contractors instead of consultants and adhere to due process in their selection”