By Abasi Ita
Calabar
The Magistrates Association of Nigeria,MAN in Cross River has directed its members in the state to proceed on an indefinite strike with effect from today Monday, December 9.
According to findings, the labour unrest which is expected to shut down all magistrate courts is triggered by the lips service from government over prevailing poor working environment and worsening condition of service in the judiciary.
Top on list of grievances is the paltry sum of N15,000 as being paid by the Cross River state government as monthly imprest to the aggrieved magistrates, compared to N200,00 and N250,000 currently enjoyed by their counterparts in neighbouring states.
A release jointly signed by the state chairman, Magistrate Association of Nigeria, Godwin Onah, and the Secretary, Solomon Abuo respectively, said;” The
strike became inevitable since all options for amicable resolution of the lingering dispute failed”.
The release state the strike will continue unabated until the various demands outlined by the striking judicial staff are met since the state government ignored an earlier window for negotiation offered by an initial 3-day warning strike to press home their demands.
Other issues culminating in the indefinite strike action include the failure of government to implement their promotions,lack of official vehicles for enhenced productivity, non regularisation of their appointments,lack of concerted effort to upgrade court buildings across the state to ensure condusive working environment despite multiple assurances.
The statement reads in part: “Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November, 2024, where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday, November 22, 2024 to enable the State Government attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.
“In line therefore with our congress resolution to proceed on an indefinite strike action after the initial three days warning strike, an indefinite strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria”.
Recently, last minutes agreementent between Organised Labour and the Otu-led administration prevented a full-blown labour unrest in Cross River state after a warning strike triggered by the lackluster posture of the state government over the N70,000 new minimum wage crippled economic activities in the state.
Under the agreement endorsed November 30, the state government is expected to commence payment of N70,000 as minimum wage with consequential adjustments to the state-depleted workforce effective December 1,. 2024