The National Executive Council of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria has faulted the Kwara State Government’s threat to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against striking law officers, warning that the dispute could snowball into a nationwide industrial action if the impasse is not resolved through dialogue.
- +Union rejects Kwara’s ‘no work, no pay’ threat, backs striking lawyers
The association said it had resolved to stand firmly behind its members in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, who are currently on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues, describing their demands as legitimate and long overdue.
The association said it had resolved to stand firmly behind its members in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, who are currently on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues, describing their demands as legitimate and long overdue.
The PUNCH reports that the state government had warned the striking lawyers to return to work or risk losing their salaries under the “no work, no pay” rule, a position that has further heightened tension between both parties.
But reacting on Friday, LOAN said threatening workers would not address the issues that prompted the industrial action, urging the government to engage the aggrieved law officers instead.
The position was contained in a statement jointly signed by the association’s National President, Ernest Edomwonyi, and National Secretary, Adesoji A. A.
The association said its National Executive Council had unanimously resolved to support every lawful step being taken by the Kwara law officers until their grievances were addressed.
“Our colleagues in Kwara are pursuing genuine welfare demands which have remained unresolved despite several engagements with the appropriate authorities.
“It is therefore necessary for the government to address these issues instead of resorting to threats capable of worsening the situation,” the statement read.
LOAN warned that the crisis might no longer remain a Kwara affair if the state government failed to reconsider its position.
“The National Executive Council is prepared to support the Kwara State law officers in their struggle. Should the need arise, law officers in other states may be mobilised to join the industrial action in solidarity,” it added.
Among the demands of the striking workers are the payment of the outstanding 50 per cent furniture allowance for 2020, full payment of the 2024 furniture allowance, robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026, implementation of the harmonisation of salaries and allowances, and the alignment of the conditions of service of State Counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary in line with the 2005 harmonisation approval.
The law officers have maintained that the strike will continue until the state government addresses the outstanding issues.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, Saad Jimoh Muhammad, has appealed to the state government to open negotiations with the striking workers to avert a prolonged disruption in the justice sector.
He said the dispute was unfortunate and could be resolved without further escalation if both parties embraced dialogue.
“The government should invite the leadership of the law officers for discussions before the matter degenerates further. Industrial disputes are better resolved through engagement than confrontation,” Muhammad said.
The NBA chairman added that an amicable resolution was in the interest of the judiciary, litigants and the people of Kwara State.
