Kehinde Fajobi
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State chapter, have shut the gates of the state High Court in Makurdi, protesting the non-implementation of the ₦75,000 new minimum wage.
During a visit to the court premises, journalists observed union members barricading the entrance, preventing access to the facility, according to The Punch.
The union’s Assistant Secretary in the state, Jooli David, explained that the protest was triggered by the state government’s failure to pay the agreed minimum wage to judiciary workers.
He stated, “The union had, on Friday, issued a notification of indefinite strike action over the non-payment of the new minimum wage.”
Although the Benue State government announced the implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage for workers from the end of November, judiciary workers claim they are yet to benefit from the increase.
Citing directives from the union’s national body and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the state chapter of JUSUN declared an indefinite strike effective December 6.
A letter addressed to the state governor titled “Notification of Indefinite Strike Action Over Non-Implementation of New Minimum Wage” directed judiciary staff across the state to withdraw their services.
Part of the letter read, “All Judiciary Staff across Benue State are by this notice directed to withdraw their services and stay at home until further directive from the state branch of the union.”
David disclosed that union leaders were scheduled to meet with the Head of Service later in the day to discuss the issue.
When contacted, the state chairman of the NLC, Terungwa Igbe, confirmed awareness of the strike but declined to provide details about its cause.