Members of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) has began an indefinite strike today, October 21, 2024, to protest the government’s failure to meet their demands for institution-specific allowances.
After months of negotiations without resolution, the union is frustrated with the government’s refusal to implement these allowances, which they argue would help alleviate financial pressure on public service employees.
The allowances reflect the unique challenges faced by workers across different institutions, and the union insists that their introduction is long overdue.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) had urged the PSWU to reconsider its strike decision.
In a statement issued on October 17, the FWSC warned that the industrial action would disrupt ongoing negotiations, making it difficult to engage in meaningful discussions.
“Embarking on strike action would rather cause delays in the negotiations since engagement cannot continue while a party at the negotiation table is on strike,” the FWSC said.
They also pointed out that their processes, including submitting cost implications for the allowances to the Ministry of Finance, were still ongoing.
The PSWU’s dissatisfaction stems not only from unpaid allowances but also from the government’s delay in acting on the recommendations of a 2022 committee tasked with reviewing the Single Spine Pay Policy.
These recommendations were meant to address public sector compensation issues, but the union argues that no action has been taken, further justifying their strike.
Despite the FWSC’s willingness to continue negotiations, the PSWU remains adamant, citing repeated delays as the primary reason for their decision to strike.
