By Beauty John, LAFIA
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Nasarawa State Chapter, Tuesday, began a three-day picketing against the Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa state, Justice Suleiman Dikko, following the violation of agreement reached with the union.
Comrade Yusuf Iya, NLC Chairman in the state, who led the picketing in Lafia, said the protest begins on Tuesday, 11th August, 2020 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and will continue for three days.
The chairman warned that the entire staff will be shut out if their demands are not met after the three day picketing.
Iya said the protest was aimed at ensuring justice to members of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) who were unjustly treated by the CJ.
According to Iya, the CJ had unilaterally constituted a committee in 2018 and used the report of the committee in downgrading staff with steps.
He revealed that the decision of the CJ was challenged by the JUSUN officials through strike, who consequently got dismissed from service.
The chairman accused the CJ of stopping the payment of salaries of the officials while on strike, non remittance of dues to officials among others.
He commended the effort of governor Abdullahi Sule and other prominent people in the state, who had to intervene before the prolonged strike was suspended.
“After suspension of the strike due to intervention by the governor and others, the CJ only paid them 50 per cent arrears,” the NLC added.
Surprised by the chief judge’s refusal to reverse his decision, despite agreeing before the governor and Emir of Lafia to do so in the interest of peace, Iya insists that the CJ should either pay the balance of the salary arrears of the affected staff and remit the monthly dues to the union officials or proceed on compulsory retirement.
The Chairman called on the state government to intervene in the matter, urging members of the unions to remain calm during the protest.
