OrderPaperToday – The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has accused the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Ojo Olatunde, of misappropriation of funds approved for the payment of the national minimum wage of the National Assembly (NASS) workers.
Chairman of PASAN, National Assembly (NASS) chapter, Comrade Sunday Sabiyi, made the allegations while addressing the workers on Monday, during a peaceful protest at NASS complex.
Hundreds of aggrieved members of the association staged a peaceful protest to press home their demand for immediate payment of outstanding 8-month national minimum wage salaries.
Sabiyi said that the protest was billed to last for two hours after which the members of staff are to return to their various offices.
The workers chanted various solidarity songs during the protest, carrying placards that read: ‘Legislators pay our welfare’; ‘Pay us our MOU’ ‘Pay our own, carry your own’ Don’t even touch mine’ ‘Agreement na agreement’ ‘On our MOU we stand’ ‘Pay us our 8 months arrears of minimum wage and 15 months allowances as captured in the MOU.’
Recall that the association had in a communiqué dated 6th January, 2022 and transmitted to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabimila; Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Mr. Ahmed Mashi; Director of Department of State Service (DSS); Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the NASS and Head of Sergeant-at-Arms, respectively, reiterated their demands.
Recall also that the office of the CNA had earlier informed that they would do all in their power to resolve all the concerns raised by the union but it seems the meeting held on Saturday according to reports did not stop the protest.
The chairman of the association also disclosed that the PASAN Executive would be attending an emergency meeting called by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to address issues raised by the workers.
Sabiyi stressed that the protest was not aimed at destroying “anybody, we are not here to abuse anybody, we are not here to demoralize somebody, but united to demand the workers’ right” on the 24-month arrears of the national minimum wage which came to effect since 2019.
“The PASAN is not unaware of various circulars issued by the Federal Government, through which the President called for the implementation of the national minimum wage from the money allocated to the National Assembly over the past three years.
“Whereas management had earlier identified the supplementary budget 2021 as one amongst various sources of funding the MoU, Congress is amazed that suddenly the supplementary budget and virement of the 2021 fiscal appropriation have become the source of funding items not captured in the MoU including end of year bonus and promotion arrears.
“That management should pay with immediate effect, eight months outstanding balance of minimum wage; the year 2021 rent subsidy; 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowance; and six months arrears of hazard allowance to National Assembly staff.
“In addition to the MoU, Congress also demands implementation of 50 percent balance of CONLESS, immediate release of 2022 training template for staff members, and evidence of provision of gratuity for retiring staff members.”
Security operatives were deployed from the Department of State Security (DSS) to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order during the protest.
