By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

Magistrates in Cross River have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike on Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.

This is contained in a release jointly signed by Godwin Onah, Cross River Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Secretary, Solomon Abuo, and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

In the document, the Magistrates noted that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government.

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

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

According to the statement dated December 8, 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 11thNovember, 2024, where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday 22ndNovember, 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore, with our congress resolution to proceed on a three days warning strike Is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6am of Wednesday, 27thNovember 2024 to Friday, 29thNovember, 2024.

“If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met.”

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

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

While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears. (NAN)