BREAKING: Benue Judiciary workers shut down courts over ₦75,000 minimum wage exclusion

Judiciary workers in Benue State, under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), have locked the gates of the state High Court in Makurdi, protesting the government’s failure to include them in the new ₦75,000 minimum wage implementation.

IDOMA VOICE reports that during a visit to the court premises, union members barricaded the entrance, preventing access to the facility as part of their strike action.

JUSUN’s Benue State Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel David, disclosed that the union had issued a formal notice of an indefinite strike on Friday, warning of a complete shutdown of judicial operations.

Although the Benue State government began implementing the new minimum wage for workers at the end of November, JUSUN claims its members were excluded from the revised wage structure.

“This action aligns with directives from our national body and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” David explained, adding that the strike officially commenced on December 6, 2024.

In a letter titled “Notification of Indefinite Strike Action Over Non-Implementation of New Minimum Wage”, addressed to the state governor, the union called for immediate corrective measures. It also directed all judiciary staff to withdraw their services and remain at home until further notice.

David revealed that JUSUN’s leadership was scheduled to meet with the state’s Head of Service later in the day to discuss possible resolutions.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Benue, Terungwa Igbe, confirmed awareness of the strike but declined to elaborate on its specifics.

The strike has paralyzed judicial activities in the state, with the union vowing to persist until their demands are met.