Primary school teachers in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue state, yesterday took to the streets in protest, over non implementation of the state’s minimum wage by the state government.
The teachers in their protests had demanded that the state Governor, Gabriel Suswan must immediately commence payment of their minimum wage as been done in other sectors.
They said the governor was undermining their importance in the state by clearly refusing to pay them their minimum wage which has already been implemented in other sectors.
The teachers that converged at Otukpa branch, the headquarters of Ogbadibo LGA, carried several placards with inscriptions such as, “Suswan, Pay us our minimum wage now”, We have families to take care of” We deserve state’s benefits like others” Minimum wage is our right” A labourer deserves his wages” etc., said they will embark on an indefinite strike if Suswan continues to turn deaf ears to their complaints. They said the governor cannot justify why he has sidelined the teachers in the implementation of the minimum wage which others have been enjoying for two years now.
Speaking with DailyPost, a female teacher who pleaded anonymity said it was an act of wickedness for the Governor to have neglected them. ” We really don’t deserve this from a governor who knows that primary education is the cradle of the state’s education. It is an act of wickedness for our governor to have sidelined us when he has commenced payment in other sectors. We can’t keep waiting for him. If he fails to pay us by the end of the month, we shall embark on an indefinite strike. We know that strike is no longer new to him, but we will give him a tough battle this time around,” She had threatened.
Meanwhile, a call put across to the office of the Commissioner for education, Dr Elizabeth Ugo to get her reaction on the matter was not answered.
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