S. Sudanese speaker calls for exhibition of nationalism as bank employees strike

February 15, 2015 (JUBA) – A high level official of the South Sudanese government on Monday called on the striking citizens in the country to show nationalism by enduring the suffering despite the difficulties they have faced in life.

“There are times blaming games don’t work anymore. The current situation does not any longer require finger pointing. What is required now is to put our acts together to bring peace to the country and to rescue the economy,” speaker of South Sudan’s national parliament, Magok Rundial, told Sudan Tribune on Monday in an exclusive interview.

Rundial however called on the global and regional partners to support security, stability and prosperity of the world’s youngest nation, while acknowledging the “significant challenges” the war-ravaged country is facing as it strives to overcome its current budgetary gap, and become increasingly economically and fiscally self-reliant.

“This is the time to exhibit nationalism; tight our belts and work hard on specific steps the government through the parliament is taking to combat corruption, increase transparency, reduce poverty and create jobs,” he explained.

He noted that in addition to recent progress in the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement, including the appointment of an opposition leader, Riek Machar as first vice president, the country continues to face formidable challenges. These, he added, include the need to root out corruption and strengthen good governance, build the foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, increase regional connectivity.

His comments coincided with the strike of more than 300 South Sudanese citizens working for Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), halting banking services across the country and forcing clients to suspend activities needed to be executed with support of using cash.

The KCB employees said in a statement on Monday they decided to go on strike after the efforts between the management of the bank’s National Staff leadership failed to reach consensus over demand seeking adjustment in pay.

Paul Ajok Garang, Chairperson of National Staff Association, told reporters on Monday they have requested he management to increase their salaries by 600 percent as it was done for their foreign colleagues working in the country for the same institution.

“We are out here on a peaceful demonstration; the main reason for this is we have been on negotiation with our Bank management to adjust our salaries,” said Garang.

“There are a few expatriates, mostly Kenyans. During the devaluation process these Kenyans’ salaries were adjusted automatically to the devaluation multiplier that is by 600 percent,” he pointed out.

He said the strike was a call on the bank management to also increase the salaries of the national workers.

(ST)