Minister of Finance and Economic Development Goodall Gondwe has criticized Judiciary support staff for staging a sit in over housing allowance, saying the strike is uncalled for.

The Judiciary support staff on Monday started a nationwide strike following what they call government’s non-commitment to resolve their grievances.

The striking staff are demanding that Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe should release money for their housing allowances which they say Parliament approved in July last year just like it did with judicial officers.

The support staff are also demanding that their conditions of service be harmonized with those of judicial officers—judges and magistrates.

But speaking in an interview with the press, Gondwe said the housing allowance is no longer part of condition of service for Judiciary support staff.

He then urged the striking staff to go back to work.