THE Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) chapter has issued a two-week ultimatum to the management of the Commission to address the poor welfare package of the workers.

The union in a letter addressed to the Director General of the Commission titled “perceived refusal to address staff welfare in the commission,” and dated June 6, 2019, lamented that six workers died of curable ailments due to the poor handling of the staff welfare by the management.

The letter which was also copied to Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was signed by Lucky Asekokhai and Odia Victor, Chairman and Secretary of the union respectively was sent to The ICIR.

The six staff of the Commission that died were those from  head office in Abuja and those in states such as Ondo, Anambra, Adamawa and Kano.

The union said it was worried that the NIMC management relegated to the background, the issues of staff welfare, especially in the area of dwindling staff salaries, non-payment of allowances and non-implementation of para-military salary scale.

It noted that the amount allocated to the payment of staff salaries and wages in the 2019 did not show any improvement, wondering what the NIMC management has been doing on issues like the implementation of the para-military salary scale, payment of allowance that was removed upon joining IPPIS, payment of first 28 days being owed staff that had been recruited since 2013 and payment of hazard allowances.

The union said it was left with no option than to issue the ultimatum after exploring all peaceful means to make the management yield failed.

“Having resolved to seek the way forward rather than continue to suffer in the midst of plenty, the union hereby requests the Director General and his management team to address all the contending issues as enumerated above, especially the staff welfare within two weeks ,”it said.

“Note that if by the end of June, nothing significant is done, union will have no option but to employ all available tools within its power to ensure that the above listed issues get the needed attention.”

The union further urged the management to heed its warning before “it is too late,” noting that it appreciates and works towards a peaceful work environment and prosperous commission for all.