Workers in the Benue State judiciary have taken to drastic action, locking the gates of the state High Court in Makurdi on Monday to protest the non-implementation of the newly approved N75,000 minimum wage.
The protest comes after the Benue State Government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, announced the approval of the new wage for state workers. However, the judiciary staff are still awaiting the full implementation of this decision.
Gov. Alia Approves N75,000 Minimum Wage
Governor Hyacinth Alia made the announcement regarding the N75,000 minimum wage at the State Secretariat after a meeting with representatives of the organized labour in Makurdi.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, Alia noted that the new minimum wage would take effect from November 2024. He also assured workers that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of arrears would be paid as part of the 2024 budget.
However, despite the governor’s assurances, Benue State Judiciary workers are frustrated by the delay in the payment and the implementation of the wage increase.
The Beginning of the Protest
On Friday, December 6, 2024, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JSUN), Benue State chapter, announced it would begin an indefinite strike action due to the non-implementation of the new wage.
This decision followed a notification issued by the national body of the union and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which directed all judiciary staff to withdraw their services.
The protest saw workers locking the gates of the state High Court, effectively shutting it down and preventing access to the premises.
Union Leaders Speak Out
Jooli David, the Assistant Secretary of the Benue State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, explained the reason behind the strike action.
“The action is as a result of the non-implementation of the N75,000 new minimum wage,” David said.
David emphasized that the state chapter of the union had no choice but to comply with the directive from the national body, as the workers had not been paid the newly approved wage.
“We are following the directive from our national body and the NLC. As of December 6, 2024, we have been left with no option but to go on strike,” he stated.
Letter to the Governor
In a letter addressed to the state governor, titled ‘Notification of Indefinite Strike Action Over Non-Implementation of New Minimum Wage,’ the union called for the immediate resolution of the wage dispute.
The letter directed all judiciary staff across the state to withdraw their services and stay at home until further instructions from the state branch of the union.
“We are not going to work until the issue of the minimum wage is addressed,” the letter stated, reinforcing the seriousness of the workers’ demands.
Discontent Among Judiciary Workers
The judiciary workers’ strike has caused a disruption in the functioning of the state’s judicial system. With the gates of the High Court locked, the court’s daily operations have been brought to a halt, leaving many litigants and legal practitioners in limbo.
The workers have expressed deep frustration with the delay in the payment of the new minimum wage. While Governor Alia’s government announced the approval of the wage increase, the judiciary staff claim that it has not been fully implemented.
Meeting with the Head of Service
David also revealed that the leadership of the union would meet with the Head of Service later in the day to discuss the matter.
“We are still in talks with the Head of Service, and we hope the issue will be addressed soon,” David added, suggesting that negotiations may continue in hopes of resolving the crisis.
However, as of now, the strike remains in full force, with judiciary workers standing firm in their demand for the immediate payment of the new wage.
