Judiciary workers in Abia State have shut down courts and commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged non-payment of accumulated leave allowances dating back to 2018.
Gatekeepers News reports that the workers, under the umbrella of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, say the industrial action has already lasted about two weeks and has effectively halted judicial activities across the state.
Speaking with journalists, the Secretary of the Abia State chapter of JUSUN, Comrade Pastor Chibuzo Nwachukwu, said the unpaid leave allowance is one of several unresolved issues between the union and the state government.
He also listed the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and the failure to harmonise judiciary workers’ basic salary structure with that of other public servants as part of the union’s grievances.
Nwachukwu emphasised the importance of salary harmonisation, noting that many benefits and allowances are tied to workers’ basic salaries.
He explained that the outstanding leave allowances were not incurred solely under the current administration of Alex Otti, who assumed office in 2023, but also date back to the administrations of former governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu.
Responding to suggestions that the strike could be politically motivated, Nwachukwu dismissed the claim.
“It is laughable to say so. We are agitating because the government is paying other workers while excluding judiciary staff,” he said.
“Our action is informed by the government’s refusal to honour agreements reached on this matter. We served 20-day, 14-day, and seven-day notices, but there was no response.”
He added that the government has not denied responsibility for the payments, noting that several reconciliation meetings were held before the union decided to embark on the strike.
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that the state government claims the leave allowances have already been incorporated into workers’ salaries. However, Nwachukwu rejected the assertion, insisting that the allowances remain unpaid.
He maintained that the strike would continue indefinitely until the union’s demands are fully addressed.
