Judicial Workers Threaten Strike Over Poor Pay, Welfare Issues
Kehinde Fajobi
Judicial workers at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) have expressed frustration over poor working conditions and unfulfilled welfare promises, threatening to embark on an industrial action if their grievances are not addressed.
Two letters, obtained in Benin City on Thursday, revealed the workers’ complaints to the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Abuja and members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The letters highlighted the non-payment of the 25% and 35% salary increases, the ₦35,000 wage award, and other entitlements.
At the NICN in Benin City, the situation appears dire, with workers lamenting the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage. Speaking anonymously, one worker described their plight:
“Last Christmas, many of us got peanuts as bonuses. The salary is very poor. The minimum wage has not been implemented for workers of the NICN.
“The ₦35,000 wage award by the federal government—till date, we are yet to receive it, and nobody is talking about arrears.”
The worker added, “Other organisations under the same federal government received payments from January to July, but nobody is addressing ours.
“Despite the economic hardship, our management is not doing anything to ease workers’ suffering.”
The source also criticised the lack of training opportunities and delays in payments for promotion-related expenses.
“Some of our colleagues in the Federal High Court have better conditions. They go for training regularly, but that’s not the case for us at the NICN. We recently took promotion exams, but our DTA has not been paid, and no one is discussing it.”
Criticism was also levelled at JUSUN’s national leadership.
“We are members of JUSUN, but the union seems inactive at the federal level. They only collect our dues while ignoring our issues. They are more active in the states than at the national level,” the worker said.
The workers’ demands include immediate implementation of salary increases, payment of the ₦35,000 wage award, and settlement of arrears.
Without urgent intervention, a nationwide strike may disrupt judicial activities.