By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—FOLLOWING the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Edo State Government to solve the lingering industrial crisis in the health and educational sectors in the state, by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has approved the implementation of the new salary structure for workers in the state owned tertiary institutions.

He disclosed that the new salary structure had also been approved for judicial workers and teachers since the 1st of March, adding that the situation gave the state government additional salary wage bill of two hundred and fifty million naira monthly.

Disclosing this to newsmen at Government House, Benin City, yesterday, the Head of Service to the government, Dr Simon Imuekemhe, said the threat by the NLC to embark on a strike action was unnecessary, adding that the approval and implementation of the new salary structure to workers of the tertiary institutions in the state which according to him, took effect on the 1st of November, had been communicated to them.

According to him, in view of the workers friendly disposition to the Oshiomhole-led administration, the Governor had also given an upward review of the monthly allocation to the state owned tertiary institutions.

With regard to workers in the health sector, Dr Imuekemhe disclosed that government had agreed to pay 60 per cent of their demand “which they refused to accept. But discussions are still on going and at the end we hope to arrive at an acceptable figure.”

He further commended the NLC in the state and the Joint Negotiating Council “for demonstrating a high level of understanding with government in view of the meager resources accrued to the state from he Federal allocation and I hope this understanding should be sustained.”