UNAMID national staff to resume strike

On Monday September 10, UNAMID national staff is expected to resume their strike, which they started on Wednesday September 5. UNAMID’s national staff held a peaceful strike on Wednesday concerning the result of a salary survey conducted in March 2012. Following the results, a salary increase was granted. The national staff considers the increase to be insufficient and demands to be paid either in US dollars or a recalculation of the increase, according to the June 2012 exchange rate. Aichatou Mindaoudou, acting Joint Special Representative, said during a town-hall meeting on Wednesday September 5 in El-Fasher: “I understand your concerns and I am committed to work hard with the UN Headquarters to look into these issues”. National staff from across Darfur participated in the meeting via video conference. All decisions on salaries and conditions of service in the UN are regulated by the Office of Human Resources Management at UN Headquarters in New York. UNAMID’s national staff makes up a number of approximately 2.900 of the Mission’s civilian component. Khalil Tikras, Chairman of the Union’s committee for UNAMID national staff, informed Radio Dabanga that the decision to resume their strike on Monday and Tuesday of the coming week, is a result of failed meetings with the Mission.Tikras disclosed that the strike will end on Wednesday September 12 and meetings are expected to take place that same day. He expressed his hope that an agreement will be reached on Wednesday.Related content: 3.000 Sudanese UNAMID staff strike (4 September, 2012)