They have been organising programmes to push their demand and are preparing for a sit-in before the parliament general secretary’s office from 10am-11am every day.

The Parliament Secretariat has forwarded a proposal to the Finance Ministry in response to the staffers’ demands. They, however, believe the Ministry will likely turn down the proposal, compelling them to intensify their agitation. “We’ll picket for longer hours unless our demands are met and won’t work beyond office time if the ministry rejects our call,” said Sanjaya Dahal, who leads the movement.

A staffer at the Secretariat complained of having to work longer shifts daily without extra allowances. “The Election Commission and government offices get perks but we are denied. We have been putting in extra time for constitution-drafting and parliamentary affairs,” said Dahal.

In an attempt to make themselves heard, the staff wore black bands at work on Sunday. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who reached the CA building for a meeting of the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee, had inquired about their protest.

“They are demanding extra allowances for additional work,” Secretariat spokesperson Mukunda Sharma informed PM Koirala. The staff claim to be working on three fronts—parliament, CA and committees related to parliament and constitution-writing—but their allowance is minimal. On the other hand, Election Commission officials reportedly get up to 200 percent allowance.

A few months back, the Supreme Court directed the government to provide special allowances to all staffers.