Aggrieved legislative aides on Tuesday besieged the entrance of both chambers of the National Assembly, protesting unpaid salary arrears.
The protesters, under the auspices of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, NASSLAF, displayed placards with varying inscriptions, chanting solidarity songs and calling the attention of lawmakers, who had just resumed plenary after a two-week break, to their plight.
Presenting their demands to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, Abdullahi Zuru, said that the union may as a last resort, approach the National Industrial Court, to ensure their entitlements are paid.
Zuru wondered why the National Assembly Clerk has refused to pay about 2,500 aides their 2019 salary arrears.
Gbajabiamila, who noted that the non-payment of salaries was inexcusable, assured the protesters that their grievances will be looked into.
Apart from their outstanding salaries, the workers also protested the lack of training and the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage.
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The union vowed to sustain the protest using every available means at its disposal, including running steady social media campaigns, petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and other anti-graft agencies in the country.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
