JUDICIAL WORKERS IN EBONYI STATE DOWN TOOLS

Reporter: AMECHI ODO –

Judiciary Workers in Ebonyi State have embarked on strike to press home their demand for the implementation of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure by the State Government. As at the time of filing this report, no judiciary staff was sighted within the State Judiciary Headquarters while no court with the State High Court was in session.

Ebonyi State Judiciary workers had about three weeks ago issued fourteen days ultimatum and added seven days grace to demand that the State Government commences the implementation of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure or face industrial action.

A visit to the State Judiciary Headquarters showed that the workers did not turn up at their duty posts although some youths identified not to be Judiciary workers were seen clustering around the gate leading into the State High Court.

The Vice President Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria South East Zone, Comrade Mark Ifezue who was in the State explained that the National Leadership mandated the workers to withdraw their services pending the implementation of the wage structure.

The National Organising Secretary of the Union, Comrade Chinedu Eze expressed worry over the presence of some strange faces sighted within the premises of the Judiciary Headquarters Abakaliki which according to him was locked down by Judiciary Workers.

Efforts to get the reaction of the State Government on the latest development were not successful but Governor David Umahi had last week threatened to sack the entire Judiciary workers if they embarked on strike.

Chief Umahi expressed worry that the Judiciary workers could be demanding for wage increase at a time the economy was at a standstill due to COVID- 19 pandemic.