UNAMID deeply concerned about ongoing strike action, attempts to disrupt operations by its national staff

4 Aug 2016

UNAMID deeply concerned about ongoing strike action, attempts to disrupt operations by its national staff

El Fasher, 4 August 2016 - UNAMID is deeply concerned about the ongoing strike action by its national staff. The strike has been accompanied by reports of attempts to disrupt the Mission’s operations by locking entry gates to key areas in the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher and coercing non-participating staff members as well as individual contractors not to perform their duties.

UNAMID wishes to stress that such actions are in breach of UN rules and regulations as well as staff members’ obligations as international civil servants.

Prior to the ongoing strike, Mission leadership extensively engaged national staff representatives to discuss their grievances, and assured them of its commitment to address these issues speedily within the UN’s legal framework, rules and regulations. Regrettably, the proposals resulting from these engagements have not been considered by the national staff, who have opted to continue their strike in contravention of their status as international civil servants.

Additionally, UNAMID has implemented the new salary scale and payment of national staff salaries in US dollars, resulting from a comprehensive salary review that took effect from 1 September 2015. All retroactive payments due to staff have been paid in full.  

While UNAMID remains committed to helping resolve the concerns of its staff members, the Mission’s overarching mandate remains focused on the bigger picture, namely, of building sustainable peace for the good people of Darfur. Any action by staff members that may negatively impact mandate delivery or disrupt daily operations, should, therefore, be avoided. In this regard, the Mission continues to urge striking national staff members to engage in dialogue in the quest for an amicable resolution of their demands.