South Sudan minister tells unions leaders to avoid politics
By Ngor Arol Garang
May 9, 2010 (WUNROK) — A minister from regional government of Southern Sudan has on Sunday cautioned union leaders and their members against engaging in partisan politics as the region heads towards the 2011 referendum.
There are many unions in different parts of the southern Sudan and have memberships disseminated across different political affiliations hence their leadership must strive to be neutral, said Dr.Luka Monaja Tombe while addressing a congratulatory meeting of the election victory of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit organized by various trade Unions in Juba on Sunday.
President Kiir continues to receive telephone calls from inside and outside the country besides personal visits by those living in Sudan. Majority travels as far as from rural villages and other towns to express their sincere thanks, appreciations for the job well done in the last five years which culminated in his elections and congratulations for winning elections by such a bigger percent, Monoja explained.
“There is no such kind, most loved, caring and friendly president I have ever found. I have never got one,” described one of the presidential aides who is equally accused to be one of those confusing President from giving particular attentions to the public.
The current GOSS caretaker cabinet affairs minister who cautiously told union officials not to force their members to support a particular party as they risk becoming irrelevant to the labor movement, is also quoted as saying that unions must strive to promote unity and harmony between Government and workers by not dividing its membership using politics.
“Labor leaders and their members must reject attempts by politicians to drag them in politics;” Monoja said stressing that labor union should embrace peaceful initiatives, adding that the labor movements have been instrumental in achieving this by resisting being dragged into politics for far and quite too long and have succeeded.
“I when was young labor unions used to be instrumental and acted as bridges between and government and employees. All problems of salaries, benefits and other entitlements are promptly addressed by labor unions before resorts to strike are taken,” Monoja explained to the union leaders while chatting with him at his residence.
He urged them to continue with this same spirit because if union leaders engage in politics, the labor movement will become irrelevant to its members, he said.
Appealing to trade unions to use dialogue and collective bargaining as ways of fighting for better conditions of service for members, he said unions must desist from creating conflict between Government and employers, adding that industrial unrest should be the last resort in resolving conflict.
As you may be aware, strikes are very injurious so we should always embrace dialogue. It is very easy to put this region on fire through activities such as strikes, he said.
(ST)
Jerie
South Sudan minister tells unions leaders to avoid politics
Readers,
So this ’Alliance’ that Yassir Arman is calling for to be formed would include the traditional enemies of South Sudan such as, Umma party of Sadiq al Mahdi, PCP of Hassan al Turabi, the DUP of Al Mirghani, the Sudan Communist Party of al Nugud……. etc. What makes him think that after more than 50 years of being lied to, this ’Alliance’ will crack open the hardened South Sudanese this time around?
The CPA was signed to be implemented to the letter and spirit. It is not up to any bigoted northern politician or military to choose what to implement and what to delete from the peace agreement. The CPA DOES NOT need Yassir Arman’s dubious and really suspicious “alliance”, as a tool for its implementation. If Arman is about to form his version of “Alliance for Unity” similar to what Omer al Bashir has done, it would be better for him to be sincere with himself, and to rest of us South Sudanese, and straight forward join the Al Bashir camp. let Yassir Arman and his other unionists clearly understand that the so-called “alliance” which he is now actively calling for is obviously not in the interest of the people of the South Sudan who have made it very clear beyond reasonable doubt that they are for an independent South Sudan Nation.
North is for unity under Islam and Sharia Law, and South for secession away from Sharia Law and Islam, and no room for the ambiguous and utopian New Sudan Vision. The only person who would have been capable of twisting the Northern regime’s hands into its implementation passed away prematurely, and the New Sudan conundrum should be dead and buried.
Start your countdown timers folks. Let’s do it this time. At least there’s no politics among us in this one. It’s South Sudan united for a purposeful course!!!!
Dinka Boy
South Sudan minister tells unions leaders to avoid politics
Jerie and Jack,
My advise to all of you is that you need not to mingle issues. CDR Yasir Arman is not forcing unity to South Sudanese because the referendum has been designed in 2011 base on the interest of South Sudanese. Please stop writing baseless argument against arman because he fought more than most of militia integrated in moment recently. He fought on behave of South Sudanese and the marginalized people in the Sudan. Referendum is not going to be forced on us if you have some sense of political views base on the criteria for conducting it.
I believed those South opposition parties are the one that we should put more focus with because they are the one interesting for the unity of Sudan though they keep deceiving the public that they working for the interest of South Sudanese. When are they going to support the stark of our people while they are always siding with Khartoum goverment. For example, we know very well the party of Dr Lam Akol, Bona Malual , Joseph Lagu plus Riek Gai( Bashier Advisors), and the others. Are the above opposition parties wotking for unity or seperation? you have critical thinking that should examine their intention during and after the war. They were in Khartoum with jallaba and they are now wanting to confuse South Sudanese that they need seperation.
SPLM brought this fresh air and those who have been absence need to work harder because this time is easy than the way it used to be.
Thanks
MJriaksdca
South Sudan minister tells unions leaders to avoid politics
productive dialogue mr. Monja not deceptive ones that aim at buying time to shrug off peoples legitimate demands.
Being a close aid to president, I am sure you have never missed getting your monthly salary, but the real working people in states, counties and payam go months without salaries. How happy are you about that?
You have reelected your corrupt governors who impose people to volunteer works without pay because they keep the money for their own use to maitain power. That is what you are good to do. Anyway continue to do your things, but know time revolves.