Magistrates in Cross River State have notified the state government of their intentions to embark on a warning strike for two weeks.
The Magistrates said the strike would hold if within seven days the state government does not effect promotions of magistrates and other sundry demands.
Magistrates Association of Nigeria, MAN, Cross River State chapter, in a communique, threatened to withdraw their services effective from November 13, 2024.
They warned that they would subsequently embark on an indefinite strike action.
The Magistrate’s Association issued the warning in a communique signed by its Chairman of MAN, Godwin Onah and the General Secretary, Solomon Abuo, at the end of their congress on Tuesday.
The Magistrates said that they were aggrieved that their promotions had not been effected since 2015 and more so after the state governor promoted other civil servants in the state in 2024.
The magistrates frowned at their monthly imprest of N15,000, saying such was ridiculous, insulting and unacceptable.
The Magistrates claimed the amount was grossly inadequate to cater for office stationery and other logistics, lamenting that, their counterparts in neighbouring states receive between N200,000 to N250,000 monthly imprest.
They demanded an immediate implementation of promotions and regularization of Magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.
Other demands are, “Immediate provision of official vehicles to all Magistrates in Cross River State and payment of at least N200,000 monthly impress to all Magistrates.
“Onward payment of yearly robing allowance to Magistrates. Provision of official accommodation to Magistrates of Cross River State and undertaking burial expenses for any deceased Magistrate.
“Others include, the immediate payment of the earned and accrued two years’ salary arrears for the 2019 batch of Magistrates and the renovation of the dilapidated Magistrate’s courts in Cross River State.
Magistrates in Cross River issue notice of 2 weeks strike to state govt