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The National Labour Commission (NLC) has referred the dispute of the striking state attorneys to compulsory arbitration and directed them to call off their strike.

The Association of State Attorneys declared an indefinite strike on June 6, over poor conditions of service and lack of harmonization of their salaries and benefits with those of the lower court bench.

A statement issued by the NLC on Wednesday and signed by Acting Executive Secretary, Dr Mrs Bernice Welbeck, said the NLC on the day, heard the submission of the respondents in the matter, who were led by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

The NLC said the state attorneys, complainants in the matter were absent.

“The National Labour Commission in pursuance of Section 164 (1) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) refers to Compulsory Arbitration, the dispute between the State Attorneys and their employers”, the statement said.

The statement said the disputing parties were expected to confirm the issues in the dispute within three working days of receiving the NLC’s letter, pursuant to Regulation 27 (1) (a) of LI 1822.

The statement directed the state attorneys “to call off the strike and immediately appear before the Compulsory Arbitration Panel.”