By Jude Opara
The members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN), Abia State chapter on Monday, began an indefinite strike, following the expiration of their 7 days ultimatum to the State government.
The strike, according to the PASAN members, is a result of Abia State government’s alleged failure to implement the financial autonomy for parliamentary workers in the state.
The parliamentary staff who barricaded the entrance to Abia State House of Assembly, prevented people from entering the premises even as they flaunted their association’s banner concerning the strike.
Speaking on the industrial action, Abia Staff Chairman of PASAN, Sunday Kalu explained that his chapter obtained approval from the national leadership of PASSAN before commencing the industrial action.
He noted that the ultimatum issued given to the Abia State government on Nov. 19, 2024 and January 30 over non-implementation of Financial Autonomy, Consolidated Legislative Structure, CONLESS and Administrative Autonomy have expired, hence the decision to down tool.
He said the union went on a warning strike in 2023, but later suspended it after negotiations with the government, adding that nothing had changed to date.
According to Kalu, the implementation of the financial autonomy is in line with section 121 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“We have a service commission which is supposed to give us our administrative autonomy, but the commission is somehow handicapped”, said Kalu.
With this development, it is not known if the Abia State House of Assembly which is supposed to resume plenary tomorrow will eventually be on duty.
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