Workers’ strike paralyses Lagos judiciary

The court rooms of the Lagos State Judiciary were shut to adjudication of cases as workers stayed away to observe the nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to press home their demand improved minimum wage.

As a result, lawyers and litigants who came to the courts were turned back at the gate by security guards keeping watch over the court premises.

The NLC and TUC are asking for N50,000 as against the present N18,000  as minimum wage for workers in the public and organized private sectors across the country.

The premises of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja was quiet like a grave yard on Thursday.

All the doors of the court rooms were chained and padlocked by workers to prevent proceedings from taking place.

The Chief Registrar, Mrs Taiwo Olatokun who arrived Ikeja High Court could not gain access to her office as the main door of the administrative building was also put in chain and padlocked.

Mrs Olatokun stood by the main gate and was seen discussing with some heads of departments of the judiciary. They left when it became clear that workers were not going to open the offices.

However, the security men spread out all over the premises of Ikeja high court to ensure safety of properety.

None of the officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were on ground to answer media enquiries on Thursday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress had on Wednesday directed all its members and affiliate unions to commence a nationwide strike yesterday after a stalemated meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the industrial action would commence due to the refusal of the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite national minimum wage committee to enable it to conclude its work.

He said, “In compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply.

“All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises, including filling station, are to remain shut till further notice.