Taraba Assembly Workers Begin Strike Over Non-payment Of Allowances

Members of staff of Taraba State House of Assembly have embarked on an indefinite strike over the failure of the state government to pay their outfit allowances for the past seven years.

On October 31, 2022, the workers issued a seven-day ultimatum to the leadership of the Assembly, intimating both the speaker, Joseph Albasu Kunini, and other lawmakers of their intention to embark on the strike if their allowances were not paid.

In a statement signed by the chairman Taraba State Parliamentary Staff, Ibrahim Bala Yusuf, and his secretary Abdulahi Abubakar, the staff were directed to stay away from work until the demand was addressed accordingly.

“Sequel to the expiration of the ultimatum issued to the leadership of the Taraba State House of Assembly on issues that borders on the outfit allowance of the staff of this assembly, the leadership of this famous union has no any option than to direct that “members of this union should stay away from work with effect from Monday, 7th November, 2022.

“The leadership of this union are to see to it that, no staff is allowed into the premises. Further development would be made available to you as events continue to unfold,” he said.

Some of the workers who spoke with our correspondent accused the speaker of deliberately holding their outfit allowances since he assumed office seven years ago.

“Before the present speaker assumed office seven years ago, we were been paid our allowances promptly, under his leadership since his first month as speaker up till today, we have not been paid and whenever we asked of our alias, is as if we are offending him or the government.

“This time around, we are not returning to work, we will not allow any members of staff entry into the complex until our demand is being attended to,” the union said.