NIA Staff Begin Indefinite Strike over Unpaid Allowances

Staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA) have announced an indefinite strike starting Tuesday, June 24, 2025, following the failure of the Ministry of Finance to pay their long-overdue Operational Support Allowance.

The decision, reached by the Divisional Executive Council of the Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) at NIA, was finalized after a final round of talks with the Finance Ministry on June 23, 2025.

In a statement released on June 24, the PSWU explained that while the strike was a “difficult but necessary” move, it had become unavoidable due to the Ministry’s lack of commitment and the absence of a concrete timeline for disbursing the agreed Operational Support Allowance — the only supplementary income for NIA workers whose base pay is minimal.

The allowance was negotiated in July 2024 between union representatives and a government team comprising the Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. However, despite repeated assurances — including a public briefing on June 18, 2025, where NIA management assured that outstanding payments would come “very, very soon” — the Ministry of Finance has failed to deliver on its promises.

“Despite our persistent follow-ups and good-faith engagement, there has been no urgency or concrete action to address this issue,” the statement read. “We appreciate the efforts of key stakeholders who have facilitated dialogue, but without a firm commitment, our members across NIA’s head office, regional offices, premium centers, and district offices continue to face significant financial and emotional hardship.”

The union emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly, but that prolonged neglect had left them with no alternative. The PSWU directed all NIA members to withdraw their services indefinitely starting Tuesday, June 24, until their legitimate concerns are properly addressed and outstanding payments are made.

Union leaders urged all members to remain united, peaceful, and law-abiding throughout the strike, while keeping the door open for constructive dialogue that would lead to the full settlement of the Operational Support Allowance as originally agreed.