The Ekiti State judicial workers have said they will commence a five-day warning strike today to protest against the government’s failure to  improve their welfare.

The workers, who spoke under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Ekiti State chapter, made this known in a statement addressed to Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The union accused the state government of not implementing the 156 percent increase in the allowances and fringe benefits approved by the Federal Government for judicial workers.

Besides, the union lamented government’s refusal  to pay  its members the 20 percent 2010 Christmas Bonus approved by the governor.

The letter read; “after the appraisal of the welfare of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, across the nation, the Executive Committee of this Union observed that only Ekiti State Branch of the Union suffered a set back as the Government of Ekiti State  has refused to implement the welfare package recommended by the body of Chief Judges and approved by the Federal Government.

“It is on  record that JUSUN embarked on series of strikes due to the failure of the past administration to implement the welfare package as approved by the Federal Government.

“The recent strike was suspended on 15th day of July, 2010 after much pleading from the State Government that the 2010 budget approved for the Judiciary cannot accommodate the requests of JUSUN.

“The Federal Government approved some allowances and fringe benefits totalling 156% to the JUSUN, but the Ekiti State Government suspended the allowances and only pleaded for 27.5% pay rise and promised to increase the 2011 budget of the Ekiti State Judiciary to take care of  the amount for  the staff welfare.

“Consequently, the management of Ekiti State Judiciary prepared N1.2 billion for 2011 budget in order to take care of their Staff.

“But to our surprise, the Ministry of Finance did not allow the budget to get to the House of Assembly as prepared  the budget was slashed to N700 million, as in 2010’s budget.

According to JUSUN,  Fayemi  approved 20% for all workers in Ekiti State as the 2010 Christmas Bonus, leaving out  the state judicial workers

It demanded that the budget of the judiciary be amended to  accommodate the demands of the Union.

“The Union equally demands that the 20% Christmas bonus approved for Ekiti workers  should be released to the Judicial workers without further delay, ” the statement said..