Minimum Wage Causes Stir in Benue, as Judiciary Workers Shut Down Activities

By: Kehinde Adeleye

Court Activities have been shut down in Benue State as Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria have embarked on strike since December, 6 2024.

The action was in relations to the non-implementation of the new minimum wage of N75,000 which was promised by the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia last month, causing the chapter to lock up the gate of the state High court in Makurdi.

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Ekohotblog reports that state government had begun the implementation of N75,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state from the end of November, however Benue State Chapter of the Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria seems not happy that it has not been implemented in their favour yet.

Jooli David, the Assistant Secretary of the union in the state who spoke to newsmen opined that last week Friday, the union had issued notification of indefinite strike action over non-payment of the N75,000 new minimum wage.

The Benue State Chapter claimed that the strike which commenced on December 6 was a result of the directives from the national body and that of the Nigeria Labour Congress to embark on indefinite strike action as of December 2.

The union Chapter had addressed a letter to the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, titled, ‘Notification of Indefinite Strike Action Over Non-Implementation of New Minimum Wage”.

Part of the letter read, “All Judiciary Staff across Benue State are by this notice directed to withdraw their services and at home until further directive from the state branch of the union.”

Assistant Secretary of the union said the leadership of the union would be meeting with the Head of Service later in the day over the issue.

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Terungwa Igbe, the Benue state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, didn’t state reason for the strike, however affirmed the authenticity of the ongoing strike.

It was gathered that members of the union are barricading the gate and preventing entry into the premises.

Here’s the video of the week: