Magistrates in Cross River embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Godwin Onah, Cross River chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) and his secretary, Solomon Abuo, on Sunday.

In the document, the magistrates noted that the strike would not cease until the government met their demands.

They had embarked on a three-day warning strike to press home their demands and warned that they would commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.

They said the government has failed to implement their promotions and improve their overall welfare and working environment.

“Following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on indefinite strike from Monday, December 9.

“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the governor of Cross River State dated November 11, 2024, where the notice of strike was extended to Friday, November 22, 2024, to enable the state government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin,” the magistrates said.

Before the warning strike, the magistrates issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government in November to effect promotion for members that have remained stagnant since 2015.

The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly impress to magistrates in the state compared to those in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

While also demanding the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association condemned the government for not providing official vehicles to its members.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates with necessary financial benefits across all cadres and the implementation of all accrued arrears.

(NAN)