Judicial workers across Nigeria, represented by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), have issued a stern 7-day ultimatum to the government. The union is demanding the immediate implementation of the new national minimum wage of N77,000 along with other delayed benefits. If their demands are not met, JUSUN has vowed to commence an indefinite strike starting February 20, 2025.
The ultimatum comes as a direct response to what the union describes as the government’s “persistent negligence” towards the plight of judicial workers. Despite the new minimum wage being signed into law, judicial staff have not yet received the promised salary adjustments, exacerbating the financial strain amid rising living costs.
“The patience of our members has been stretched thin,” stated the JUSUN National President, Comrade Marwan Adamu, during an emergency meeting at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. “We have given the government ample time to rectify this injustice, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears.”
The new minimum wage was approved in response to economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which has significantly increased the cost of living for millions of Nigerians. While other sectors of the public service have begun to see increments, judicial workers feel left behind, arguing that their role in upholding justice and the rule of law is equally, if not more, crucial.
The strike threat isn’t just about the salary increase; it also encompasses demands for the full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS) and other outstanding financial entitlements. JUSUN’s ultimatum is effective from February 13, 2025, and they’ve called upon the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, for urgent intervention.
The potential strike has raised concerns about the impact on the judiciary, already struggling with case backlogs and operational inefficiencies. A strike could halt court proceedings nationwide, delaying justice for many and further complicating an already burdened legal system.
Reactions from various quarters have been mixed. Some civil society groups and legal practitioners have thrown their support behind the workers, highlighting the underfunding and understaffing of the judiciary as a broader issue. However, there are concerns from those who fear the ramifications of a judiciary strike on the legal process, especially in a country where access to justice is already a significant challenge.
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has yet to officially respond to the ultimatum. However, sources suggest that there are ongoing discussions to avert the strike, with promises of addressing the workers’ grievances.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on the government to see if it will preempt the strike by meeting JUSUN’s demands or if the nation will witness a judicial shutdown. This situation underscores the broader issue of wage implementation across various sectors in Nigeria, where the promise of a new minimum wage has not uniformly translated into action.
For now, the judicial workers of Nigeria stand firm, ready to shut down operations if their calls for equitable treatment and financial recognition are not heeded, highlighting a critical moment for labor rights and judicial functionality in the country.
