South Sudan lawmakers receive $1,000 medical allowances amid staff pay cuts

JUBA – South Sudan lawmakers are receiving $1,000 each in medical allowances, while staff at the parliament have seen their own payments slashed, sparking protests and arrests, sources told Sudans Post on Monday.

The 650 members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, established per terms of the revitalized peace agreement, received the allowances on Monday, according to a source within the parliament who spoke on condition of anonymity.

However, staff allowances were cut from $100 to 50, leading to protests and the arrest of some employees by security forces, the source said.

“This is to confirm to you that today on 27^th Jan 2025 the members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly received their medical allowance in dollars,” the source who refused to be identified by name said.

“Meanwhile the staffs were allocated 50 per person, which the staffs have refused to take. Something that has sparked outcry in regard to how staffs are being enslaved,” he further added.

Staff are demanding the reinstatement of their original $100 allowance and are considering a strike, the source said. They also called for the removal of the parliament’s leadership, accusing them of corruption and mismanagement.

“Staff also requested that neither them nor MPs were to be given money during this economic turmoil but rather the money was supposed to be channeled to Juba Teaching Hospital,” the source said.

Another option, they suggested, was to use the funds to support frontline medical workers and security personnel.

A second parliamentary staff member, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the payment of allowances to MPs but criticized the handling of staff payments.

“Yes. That is true. But the issue of staff was mishandled by the Administration or corrupted by the Administration,” the staff member said.

They alleged that the initial $100 payment to staff was abruptly halted due to an order from higher authorities, citing administrative errors. The order then reduced the payment to $50.

“I made inquiry but was not from the leadership of the Assembly but within Administration itself that was not passed by the leadership of the Assembly that staff are supposed to get $ 50,” the staff member said.

“Moreover, $ 100 was the amount intended but because those who cut $ 50 dollars wanted to corrupt the money. This lack of transparency is total corruption,” they claimed.

The staff member clarified that the payments were not strictly medical allowances, but rather funds provided by the president’s office to support MPs.

“This came after many MPs have died and the majority of the elders in Parliament are sick,” they said.

Oliver Mori, the spokesperson for the House, said he was not in the office and was unable to comment on the matter, while efforts to reach First Deputy Speaker Oyet Nathaniel for comment were unsuccessful.