Judicial workers defy govt, ‘pay or else strike continues’
The judiciary workers currently on their third week of sit-in have defied government’s order to resume work immediately, arguing the will only do that once their grievances are addressed.
Government through the Office of the President and Cabinet on Tuesday ssued an order demanding all judiciary workers to go back to work describing the on-going strike as illegal.
However, a Nyasa Timevisit to the High Court and Industrial court in Blantyre this morning found out that the workers have not resumed their normal duties.
Their spokesperson Austin Kamanga argued in an interview that the threat by government could not move them and that they will only resume work until their demands are head.
“There is nothing illegal about this strike. We are demanding what was made into law by parliament, and if there is anything, it’s the government that is supposed to start implement those approved working conditions,” Kamanga said.
He said it was obvious that government has failed to act in proper manner on their demand, saying the issue was long overdue and does not need to be delayed any further.
“The working conditions were approved in 2006 and six years down the line nothing has happened. It’s the workers who are to blame but those in authority to implement the conditions. We will go on with the strike until we approved conditions of service are in place,” he added.
The workers have been joined by judiciary senior staff including judges and magistrates.
And lawyers in the country recently joined the workers in protest to the failure by government to address issue.
The strike has paralyzed progress of some of the country’s major cases including that of Thyolo North Parliamentarian Annita Kalinde, civil activists case.
It has also put into halt the case of 40 arrested Lilongwe vendors who are currently still in police custody.
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