Bujumbura, Burundi - Judges in Burundi, who went on a 10-day work stoppage last month to demand better pay, plan to begin a fresh strike from 19 October, PANA learnt from a union source in Bujumbura.

The situation was aggravated when the government announced the suspension of the September salaries of judges to punish them for going on strike without exhausting all legal procedures.

According to a press release from the Union of Magistrates of Burundi (SYMABU), the main demand is on the effective implementation of a new, more rewarding status of the profession that is said to be outstanding since 2002.

The union is also claiming a bonus, with 'retrospective effect' saying it was 'unfairly' removed at the beginning of 2007.

Other demands include independence of the judiciary, the principle of security of tenure of judges and release of career of judges.

Pana 13/10/2011