Nationwide strike by NIA staff leaves applicants stranded

The nationwide strike by the Public Service Workers Union of TUC, National Identification Authority division over government’s failure to operationalize the newly approved scheme of service which will give them better conditions of service has begun to bite.

The strike is biting hard at the various NIA offices across the country. In Accra, some angry stranded applicants described the situation as unfortunate.

Applicants who had come from far and near and had appointments at the headquarters of the NIA were left disappointed after hours of waiting and hoping to be served.

Some of the stranded applicants had come to pick up their cards while others had come with their wards in accordance with the government’s announcement of starting the cards for children 6yrs to 14yrs.

However, foreign nationals are being attended to under the foreigners’ identification management services. A move that did not go down well with applicants.

An applicant, Maame Yaa Jane who had come all the way from Kumasi in the night bus was furious.

“They called me on Thursday to come on Monday. Why would they call me to come and collect my card when they know they were going to be on strike? We must be watchful of the things we are doing in this country.” She lamented.

Maame Yaa Jane

Another Applicant, a trader was sad that foreigners were being prioritized. According to her, she felt very sad as a Ghanaian.

“How can they do this? In our own country? You will be attending to foreigners and refuse as the indigene’s entry to the premises. Some of us, if we don’t sell in a day, our families cannot feed, and we have come all the way here to be treated as such”. she bemoaned.

It’s uncertain when the workers will resume work as they remain resolute in demanding government addresses their concerns. Until then, the tales of stranded applicants may persist while government business also suffers significantly at the NIA offices across the country.

Source: 3news.com