National Assembly staff plan to embark on industrial action as from tomorrow over unpaid salaries

WORKERS at Nigeria's National Assembly complex plan to embark on industrial action as from tomorrow December 4 in protest at the fact that they have not been paid their salaries and allowances for months.

 

Nigerian legislators are among the highest paid in the world, with senators entitled to monthly expenses of N13.5m ($37,500) in addition to their monthly salaries of more than $2,000. Annually, senators take home about $55,000 a year, while members of the House of Representatives earn about $42,000.

 

Despite this, workers at the National Assembly complex are owed salary arrears, so the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (Pasan) has decided to stage a protest over unpaid salaries and allowances. Pasan general secretary Suleiman Haruna, said the first phase of the protest would take place between December 4 and 8.

 

He added that the move had become necessary following the nonchalant attitude of the National Assembly leadership to their demands. Mr Haruna explained that the action would be a blend of protests and the picketing of offices within the assembly between 8 am and 12 noon daily on the stipulated days.

 

According to Mr Haruna, his members were demanding to be put on the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure. Mr Haruna pointed out that letters stipulating their demands had already been sent to the National Assembly leadership.

 

He added: “Also, all pending staff promotions and conversion letters should be released with arrears fully paid on or before December 31. The association has already issued a two-week ultimatum to the management to fulfil these demands or face strike."

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