Some members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Benue State chapter on Monday locked up the gates of the state High court in Makurdi over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has approved a minimum wage of N75,000 for workers in the state.
Alia had announced the approval at the State Secretariat after a meeting with representatives of the organised labour in Makurdi.
The governor in a statement by his spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, noted that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of arrears promised to the union would be paid as captured in the 2024 budget, along with the minimum wage, effective November 2024.
The union had, on Friday, issued notification of indefinite strike action over non-payment of the new minimum wage.
The Assistant Secretary of the union in the state, Jooli David, on Monday said the action is a result of the non-implementation of the N75,000 new minimum wage to members.
The judiciary staff members barricaded the gate and prevented entry into the premises.
The union, which claimed to be following the directive of the national body and that of the Nigeria Labour Congress to embark on indefinite strike, as of December 2 noted that the state chapter of the union had no option but to embark on strike from December 6.
The union in the state had addressed a letter to the state governor, entitled, “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.”
David said the leadership of the union would be meeting with the Head of Service later over the issue.
