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OGUN: Assembly Workers Set To Embark On Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Gives Abiodun 21-Day Deadline

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2 years ago

May 17, 2023

The workers at the Ogun State House of Assembly have threatened to shut down legislative activities and begin industrial action over the alleged failure of the State government to pay their due salary.

Under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), the staff at the Ogun State House of Assembly have given State Governor Dapo Abiodun a 21-day deadline to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for employees at the State House of Assembly and House of Assembly Service Commission.

The workers threatened to halt legislative proceedings and launch industrial action when they issued the ultimatum.

The ultimatum was issued by the association’s national body in a letter dated May 9 and signed by Awobifa Hammed, the secretary-general.

They also urge that the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) be fully implemented for staff members of the State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission.

Additionally, the workers urged the governor to discuss their welfare benefit and strictly adhere to the terms of the 2018 Statutory Office (State Emolument) Amendment and the 2018 Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission Law.

They expressed worry that “no response has been received to date despite workers’ plea” to three different correspondences from the State branch of PASAN on the agitations.

In accordance with Ogun State Assembly Service Commission Law, 2018, sections 10(2)13 and 14, PASAN expressed shock that the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, the Deputy Clerk, and the Executive Secretary Assembly Service Commission “who are all our members were not only denied their due salaries, in consonance with those sections, but other allowances attached to their office as well were equally denied.”

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According to the group, the request would simply elevate the assembly workers to the same status as their State Judiciary counterparts, who have been paid according to the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJESS) for about ten years.

The association said the demand would only place the assembly workers on the same pedestal as their counterparts in the State Judiciary who have been on the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJESS) for about a decade.

The body called on Abiodun to address the demands before May 31 or risk an industrial crisis in the state.

“Sir, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) as a National Umbrella of all workers working in all Houses of Assembly and their Commissions, always conducts background checks on activities on the appointment process and procedures in conformity with Assembly Service Commission Laws and other extant regulations.

“It’s therefore alarming shocking and strange when discovered that the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, the Deputy Clerk, and the Executive Secretary Assembly Service Commission who are all our members were not only denied their due salaries, in consonance with Ogun State Assembly Service Commission Law, 2018 section 10 (2)13 and 14 but other allowances attached to their office as well were equally denied.

“Consequent upon the earlier appeal cum request of Ogun State Chapter of PASAN demanding the full implementation of CONLESS and all attached allowances in their letters of March 2013, the National Leadership wish to reiterate our strong support for the clarion call that.

“Their demands be attended to on or before 31 of May 2023” which its failure may allow our union to pursue the goal from other legitimate actions available.

“Sir, while still appealing through this medium that you use your good office to address this issue in time, please accept our unflinching regard.”

The body in their conclusions have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to address the demands before May 31st or risk an industrial crisis in the state.