Juba, South Sudan
June 7, 2022 — More than five hundred support staff of South Sudan National Legislature are protesting plans to exclude them from 200 million pounds allowances meant for the August house.
The workers alleged that each member of parliament is set to receive eighty thousand pounds(185$) and they are not considered despite not receiving salaries for several months.
The situation prompted the police deployment and armored vehicles and personnel around and within the premises of the august house on Monday morning.
Speaking to the media, one of the law makers, who identified himself as Juol Nhomngik, said the parliament decided to adjourn seating on Monday due to the sit-down strike and the huge presence of security operatives in the parliament.
“The situation is that there’s a bit of confusion, and there’s no threat of violence, but the police are everywhere and the situation is confused, everybody doesn’t know what is happening,” Juol Nhomngik told reporters on Monday.
“MPs are just standing under the trees and the police are on the vehicles they are sitting in and nobody is even addressing this issue.”, he explained.
Meanwhile, one of the striking staff, who requested his name be withheld, revealed that their lives are under threat from the security personnel but they vow to stand their ground amidst the intimidation.
“They have decided to call in the police. We are now under threat, we don’t know what is happening whether they will be arresting staff or not,” said a staff member who doesn’t want to be identified.
“We will not give up, we will continue with our stand, we will make sure we are given something from that two hundred million SSP.”, he assured.
The staff also pointed out insufficient work-related arrears, transport, and other benefits as some of the challenges they face.
Hon. Juol Nhomngik has accused the parliament leadership of neglecting the support staff.
“To make matters worse, it is not that the parliament doesn’t have money, last week 200 million pounds came but where this 200 million pounds went to nobody knows because the speaker came up with a trip,” Lawmaker Nhomngik added..
