Legislative workers to close down national, state assemblies on Wednesday
In a significant move, workers at the national and state assemblies in all 36 states of Nigeria are preparing to shut down their workplaces until their demands for financial autonomy for the legislative branch are met. These workers, represented by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), are urging state governors to promptly implement financial autonomy for state assemblies in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
This action comes after a series of street protests conducted by parliamentary workers to emphasize their demands. The workers have sent separate letters to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, the Chairman of the Forum of Speakers, and the Department of State Services (DSS), expressing their intention to strike after previously issuing a 21-day strike notice.
Agugbue Ugochi Happiness, the acting Secretary General of PASAN, signed these letters, emphasizing that the decision to close down the legislative arms of government is necessary due to the governors’ failure to implement the financial autonomy as mandated by the constitution.
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The union initially issued the ultimatum on September 18, 2023, and extended it for an additional week, hoping this extension would provide an opportunity to meet the union’s demands and prevent the impending industrial action.
The union is resolute in its preparedness to instruct its members to proceed with the proposed strike action if their demands are not met.