NIA Workers Announce Strike Over Unpaid Allowances

Staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA), under the Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU), have declared an indefinite strike effective Tuesday, June 24, over unpaid Operational Support Allowances.

According to the PSWU, the allowance which serves as the only top-up to the NIA staff’s “meager basic salary” has not been paid since January 2025, despite previous agreements and repeated assurances from the Ministry of Finance.

The strike follows a final round of talks held on June 23, which ended without a firm commitment or timeline for payment resumption. The allowance was initially negotiated in July 2024 and implemented between August and December 2024.

Union leaders say workers remained patient for months, relying on continued assurances from NIA management. As recently as June 18, management claimed the outstanding payments would be released “very, very soon.”

However, the failure to provide clarity during Monday’s meeting with the Finance Ministry prompted the union’s decision to down tools.

“This difficult but necessary decision has become inevitable,” stated the PSWU–NIA Divisional Executive Council. “Despite our constructive engagement and good faith, the response from the Ministry has lacked urgency.”

The union acknowledged mediation efforts by various stakeholders but criticized the Ministry’s inaction, noting that staff across national, regional, and district offices are facing severe financial and emotional strain.

“This industrial action reflects the deep frustration of staff who have endured persistent neglect for far too long,” the statement concluded.

The Public Workers’ Union of TUC (Ghana) National Identification Authority (NIA) Division, has directed all members working at the Head Office, Regional Offices, Premium Centres, and District Offices to withdraw their services effective today 24th June 2025 until further notice.… pic.twitter.com/s8DMTcotPE

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) June 24, 2025

Source: Nkonkonsa.com