Anambra Assembly Workers Protest, Begin Indefinite Strike over Poor Welfare Package
By Our Reporter
Members of staff of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday staged a public protest, announcing commencement of an indefinite strike over non payment of sundry entitlements and poor condition of service.
The protesting workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) armed with placards and banners as they matched to the state assembly complex and later to the state secretariat chanting solidarity songs and demanding for urgent settlement of their entitlements.
The protesting workers also accused lawmakers of recruiting corps members to perform their duties instead of paying them.
Deputy National President of PASAN, Comrade Promise Chijioke Onwukwe who led the protest explained that they decided to commence industrial action following refusal of the state government to address their demands.
He adds they were protesting against lack of enhanced salary called CONYRESS, staff training, laptops, ICT unit in the complex, utility vehicles, and also calling for employment of more staff.
Heat him: “We decided to embarked on this strike before but the Conference Of Speakers of the 36 state assemblies and the Governor’s Forum appealed to us that all our entitlements would be settled, but here in Anambra State, nothing has been done.”
“You go to collect or submit mails and you will be trekking from one office to the other under the sun, while those that you are working for are cruising in air-conditioned vehicles.
“It might not be far from the truth that Gov Charles Soludo may have provided all these things but they are no where to be found and this is unfortunate.
“Go round the complex, you will see that it has been over grown by grasses and staff kill all manner of reptiles, snakes and scorpions almost every week.
Reacting to the allegations, the Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme said the claims were untrue.
“It is only the Anambra State PASAN that is on strike and they are not on strike because their statutory payment are not being paid, they are on strike because they are talking about their welfare which has to do with their allowances.
“Most of those staff are strictly under the office of the Head Of Service and they are posted to come and work with the state Assembly members.
“They are duty bound to listen to where they are posted. If they don’t want to work at the House of Assembly, they are free to go back to the Head of Service and not to come here to disrupt the activities of the House of Assembly,” he said.