Parliamentary Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Financial Autonomy

The national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has declared an indefinite strike across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over financial autonomy.

The National President of PASAN, Usman Mohammed, at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, directed members of the union to embark on industrial action from Tuesday morning.

Mohammed explained that the directive became necessary following the Federal Government's decision not to implement the Financial Autonomy Act of 2018 and Presidential Order 10.

PASAN President noted that the union had explored all available options to avert the strike, but all their efforts had yet to yield any positive result.

“The union having exhausted all attempts aimed at asking for the implementation of the financial autonomy by the Federal Government after 21 days, 14 days and seven days ultimatums; at this juncture, the union has no other option than to direct our members to embark on an indefinite strike,” he said.

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PASAN noted that the union has been magnanimous by allowing ample time in the last two years for the government, through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Financial Autonomy for State Judiciary and Legislature, to implement the provisions of the Constitution.

The union added that its members have run out of patience and have resolved to put an end to further delays to the implementation of the Financial Autonomy Act.

“The union will, consequently, commence strike action on the morning of Tuesday, March 23, 2021, until full implementation of the letters of our constitution, as provided in section 121 (3) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Presidential Order 10,2020,” Mohammed stated.

The parliamentary workers downed tools two weeks after the protest they staged at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja.

At the demonstration which held on March 9, the union threatened to continue the protest and occupy all State Houses of Assembly if their demands were not met.

The workers had also called on its members at the National Assembly to take the necessary step to ensure the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.