Ex-W. Bahr el Ghazal civil servants to strike over pay

November 18, 2014 (WAU) – Former civil servants in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state have threatened a strike over non-payment of their gratuities.

On Tuesday, hundreds of the former state employees gathered in front of the labour, public services and human resources ministry, demanding that the government pay long-awaited salary arrears.

A similar strike occurred in June, although promises made were unfulfilled, more than five years after the downsizing.

Aggrieved workers interviewed by Sudan Tribune blamed the state government for sacking them and failing to pay their pensions.

“We finding our survival very difficult since we have nowhere to gain money while the government is refusing to pay out our money,” said Maria Taban.

“I have now 5,650 SSP with government since 2008, why should the government subject me to such situation?” she added.

In June, however, authorities assured the ex-civil servants they would be paid without delays.

(ST)