The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has apologised to Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, over their conduct during a conciliation meeting on April 20.
Ngige had rescheduled a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and JUSUN over the ongoing nationwide strike which started on April 6.
The union had embarked on a nationwide strike to protest against the non-implementation of financial autonomy of the judiciary.
However, the meeting which was scheduled to hold at the conference hall of the federal ministry of labour and employment was stalled after representatives of the union angrily left the premises.
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In a letter dated April 26 and addressed to Ngige, Isaiah Adetola, JUSUN’s general secretary, explained many of the representatives who attended the meeting were Muslims who needed to go home because of the Ramadan fast.
“Sir, information has reached our union that the Hon. minister of labour and employment has expressed dissatisfaction with the way JUSUN members left your conference room on Tuesday, April 20,” Adetola said.
“JUSUN wishes to put it on record that many of our members at the conciliation meeting are Muslims and were fasting on the day in question.
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“Having stayed for about two hours without communication from any quarter of the ministry, JUSUN members, agitating and complaining that they needed to go and break their fast, had to leave.
“All other things put aside, JUSUN commends and appreciates the role of the ministry of labour in ensuring peaceful relations at workplace; in the case of JUSUN, by trying to ensure a conducive environment, and justice for all Nigerians.
“Therefore, we sincerely urge the minister to continue with the conciliation meetings, which you have commenced. We are all concerned about the good of Nigeria and all annoyance should not be carried too far and be allowed to derail us.
“As a result, JUSUN hereby tenders her unreserved apology to you and wherever you are hurt.”
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