Ebonyi State Judiciary workers have begun an indefinite strike following the non compliance to their demand for improved welfare packages by the state government.
The workers among other things are demanding that the state government implements the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CJSS, which they claim are enjoyed by other judiciary workers in the country.
The strike which commenced on Thursday, crippled the state judiciary as no court proceeding held at the State High Court.
In total compliance to the directives of the leaders of the Union, no staff was sighted within the premises of the state headquarters of the judiciary.
But some youths, said to be non-Judiciary workers were noticed in groups around the gate of the State High Court in Abakaliki, discussing in low tones. Some Police officers were also seen at the gate possibly to protect the facility.
The workers had about three weeks ago issued a 14-day ultimatum and added another seven days grace period to demand that the State government commenced the implementation of the CJSS.
The Vice President of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (South East Zone), Comrade Mark Ifezue, explained that the National leadership mandated the workers to withdraw their services pending the implementation of the wage structure.
“I am in Ebonyi State to show solidarity with the workers of Ebonyi State Judiciary over their problem with the state government that bothered on the implementation of the state Judiciary salary.
“This is the salary package worked out for all judicial workers in Nigeria, both at federal and at the state level.
“Virtually, all the states in Nigeria are implementing the salary package but Ebonyi State has refused to do that and the workers have been on the struggle since 2015 till date and nothing positive had come out of it. So this time around, they decided to start the hustle again and we are here to give them support.
“I am here as a messenger of the National President of the group, Comrade Lawal Mustapha
“We have had series of meetings with the state government, for instance, in 2015, there was even an understanding, there was an agreement between the union and the state government but unfortunately, the state government reneged on that agreement. Then after that, there had been series of meetings, series of consultations; series of meeting with the governor.
“The governor had once invited the EXCO of the branch and mandated them to go to other states in the Southeast and other neighbouring states to get samples of what they earn as salaries which they’ve done.
“The committee set up by the governor to my knowledge has worked out their reports and submitted same to the governor but unfortunately, the state government still refused to act on the committee reports.
“So we have no other option that to appeal with the Chief Judge to use his position and see how best to get the implementation done but the way things are, it seems the Chief Judge feels helpless.
“So we have no other option that to make use of the available weapon and that is ‘withdrawing our services’ and that’s what I have directed Ebonyi State Judiciary Workers to do immediately the ultimatum given to the State government expired.
“The 14 days has since elapsed. The Chief Judge in my meeting asked for another seven (7) days which I obliged him, the seven days has now elapsed. So at the expiration of that seven days, I have no option than to direct the workers to stay at home and withdraw their services.
“Ebonyi State Judiciary as far as I am concerned, earns the least salary among all the state judiciaries in Nigeria.
“Ebonyi State is not earning any peculiar allowance, so the issue of Akwa-Ibom earning more, I cannot say the governor is lying and I cannot drag issues with him but I know it is not true.
“Let me talk of Judiciary where I’m working. Ebonyi State Judiciary earns the least salary. So the issue of Akwa-Ibom earning higher is not true; if it is true, let him ask his Head of Service and get their salary chart from Akwa-Ibom state Judiciary.
“The issue of starting the struggle now doesn’t arise because this is a struggle that started in 2011 up to 2015 till date.
“It wasn’t a new agitation, it wasn’t a new struggle, it wasn’t even a demand. I heard him saying they are asking for increase in salary; they are not asking for increase in salary; if it’s salary, they will give us the salaries and wages.
“The governor should not miss the issue and I’m sure he knows very well that we are not asking for salary increase but maybe he wants to beef up sentiments against the workers. It is not fair.
“The issue of COVID or no COVID, like I said before the agitation did not start today. It started long before COVID and the problem is that the state government is not making any genuine effort to address the issue.
“The issue of saying that anybody is asking for increase is not true and it is unfortunate that such statement will come from the state Governor. Like I said, I will not join issues with the State Governor because he is the Chief Executive.
“If you know what is good for your workers do it. We very much appreciate him, he is working, he is doing well, we commend him but while he is developing and building roads, he has to develop his manpower too,” he said.
The National Organizing Secretary of the Union, Chinedu Eze, expressed anxiety over the presence of strange faces within the premises of the Judiciary Headquarters, which he noticed was under lock and key.
