Workers at the Edo State House of Assembly staged a symbolic protest on Tuesday by wearing black attire to work, expressing their frustration over the alleged non-implementation of the N70,000 and N75,000 minimum wage by the Assembly leadership.
The protest, coordinated by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), came just a day after a grand reception was held by the 24 lawmakers to celebrate two years in office and appreciate staff support during that period.
Sources within PASAN revealed that the decision to protest was reached at a meeting held last Friday, during which staff resolved to begin wearing black for two days as a sign of discontent.
The protest is part of a broader plan to demand enforcement of approved wage policies.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had in April 2024 announced an increase in the minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000, to take effect from May 1, 2024. More recently, his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, added a N5,000 increment during his May Day address.
However, Assembly workers say they have yet to receive any adjustment to their salaries, unlike their counterparts in other ministries and agencies.
Read Also: Succour for Edo workers as Okpebholo approves ₦75,000 minimum wage
In addition to the minimum wage concerns, the protesting staff also decried the non-implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), a special pay scheme approved nationwide for State Assembly workers following the financial autonomy granted to Houses of Assembly by the Federal Government.
The workers lamented that despite their active role in advocating for legislative financial autonomy, they are now being sidelined in the sharing of its benefits.
A source close to the staff disclosed that PASAN has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Assembly leadership, which took effect from Monday, June 16, 2025.
According to the source, if no resolution is reached after the 21 days, the workers will proceed with additional 14-day and 7-day notices as required by labour law, before embarking on a full-scale strike.
This protest comes just days after Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, during the anniversary reception attended by Governor Okpebholo, praised the staff for their dedication and assured them that their welfare remained a top priority.
“Today we are celebrating our workers to make them know that we love them. To let them know that their interest and welfare are paramount in our hearts.
“Today, Your Excellency, we want to celebrate our workers. That is why we are here to celebrate them, because without these staff, there is nothing the members can do. That’s the truth. We are soldiers here.
“Soldiers go and Soldiers come, barracks remain. Our staff are the barracks and they are made to be here for 35 years. The maximum term a lawmaker can serve is 8 years. If you are lucky you can spend 16 years.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to give you kudos. I want to praise you and thank you all for standing by us.
“Anytime there is a crisis once we speak to you, you always calm down. I want to thank you all for being there for us”, he added.
The Speaker, who acknowledged that there are some agitations by the workers, however, described the agitations as no issues, assuring that “we are going to resolve it.
