All magistrates in Cross River State have initiated a decisive three-day warning strike, commencing today, 27th of November 2024.
This action follows closely on the heels of the two-day warning strike concluded a day earlier by the Organised Labour.
The Organised Labour had pressed Governor Bassey Otu’s administration to implement the national minimum wage of N70,000, insisting on immediate compliance.
In a statement jointly issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), His Worship, Godwin Onah, and His Worship, Solomon Abuo, it was confirmed that magistrates across the state have fully downed tools.
By morning, all courts statewide were reported closed, their gates firmly locked.
The statement mandated magistrates to enforce full compliance by their court staff, underscoring the seriousness of the strike.
This isn’t the first warning strike by the magistrates this month. Earlier, they had paused a similar protest, holding onto the hope that their grievances would be addressed.
MAN had written to the state government, rescheduling their action to 22nd of November 2024.
However, the government’s failure to respond adequately led to this escalated measure.
Reiterating their resolve, MAN stated: “In line with our congress resolution to proceed on a 3-day warning strike, this has become effective from 6am of today, 27 November 2024, till Friday, 29 November 2024. Failure of the state government to meet our eight-point demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met.”