Gen. Pagan’s group warns gov’t against violating Jonglei workers’ rights amid protest over unpaid wages

JUBA — South Sudan holdout opposition Real SPLM party led by former SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum Okiech has warned the government against violating civil rights of Jonglei state civil servants who are on a strike over unpaid five-month salary arrears.

This comes after the state police authorities arrested three leaders of the Jonglei state workers union for allegedly inciting what the authorities claims to be an unauthorized protests against the government.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the Real SPLM said it stands in solidarity with the Jonglei state civil servants and said that protests are are global constitutional rights protected by the law.

“Real SPLM stand in solidarity with the workers in public Service in their Peaceful protest in Bor Town capital of Jonglei State. The peaceful protest is to demand the payment of five months’ salary arrears. The protest is organized and led by Jonglei State Workers’ Trade Union,” the group said in the statement.

“Protests, strikes and demonstrations are constitutional and labor rights recognized internationally that must be respected and protected,” the statement added.

The opposition group warned the government against violating the civil servants’ rights and expressed support for the demonstration.

“We warn the ruling regime at the national and state level against the violation of these rights and the government should seize and desist from using violence and threatening the people of South Sudan when they exercise their rights,” the statement said.

“Real SPLM full support our working people and urge the Government to pay their arrears immediately,” it added.