Magistrates in Cross River on Wednesday embarked on a three-day warning strike over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Godwin Onah, Cross River Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) and his Secretary, Solomon Abuo in Calabar on Wednesday.
In the document, the Magistrates noted that the strike would not cease until their demands were met by the government.
They said that the government had failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.
According to the statement, sequel to our communique issued on Nov. 5, arising from the general meeting where eight demands were made from the Government of Cross River.
“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated Nov. 11 where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday Nov. 22 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.
“In line therefore with our congress resolution to proceed on a warning strike, three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.
“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6am of Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Friday, Nov. 29.
“If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met,” it said.
Recalled that the magistrates had earlier in the month issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015.
The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly imprest to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.
While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.
It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears. (NAN)
