JUSAG declares indefinite strike from November 2, directs members to stay home

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning Monday, November 2, 2026, following the government's failure to approve the proposed salary review for Judicial Service employees.

The association has directed its members to stay away from work until the outstanding salary issues are resolved and further instructions are issued by its leadership.

Announcing the decision at a press conference on Friday, October 30, JUSAG said repeated attempts to secure government approval for the 2026 salary adjustments had failed, leaving members with no option but to withdraw their services.

The association is demanding approval of the salary recommendations submitted by the Judicial Council, payment of the revised salaries in November and settlement of arrears covering January to October 2026.

JUSAG explained that the process began in December 2025 when it submitted proposals to the Judicial Council for the annual review of salaries and conditions of service.

The review process, according to the association, is governed by Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141).

It said the Judicial Council subsequently completed its work and forwarded its recommendations to President John Dramani Mahama for consideration.

However, despite several reminders and engagements with government officials, the association said the recommendations had not received the required approval.

JUSAG recalled raising the matter during its Second Quadrennial Delegates' Conference in Tamale, where the Chief of Staff reportedly assured members that their concerns would be brought to the attention of the Presidency.

The association said similar appeals were made during engagements with the Chief Justice and at the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana Conference in Accra, but these efforts did not produce the expected results.

As frustration grew among members, JUSAG's National Executive Council convened an emergency meeting and resolved to give the government until October 30 to approve the salary review recommendations.

The association also formally notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) on October 23 of its intention to embark on industrial action.

Following the notice, the NLC asked the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to engage the relevant parties and submit a report on the discussions by November 6, 2026.

The Commission also advised JUSAG to suspend its intended strike in accordance with Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

JUSAG, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the intervention, arguing that the November 6 reporting date fell after its deadline for government action.

It also questioned the effectiveness of a proposed meeting convened by the Labour Ministry without representation from the Office of the President, which it maintained had the constitutional responsibility to determine the salary recommendations.

The association further claimed that a letter from the Ministry of Finance concerning the proposed salary review had been prepared without its participation and rejected the proposals it had submitted.

According to JUSAG, these developments demonstrated a lack of progress towards resolving the dispute.

The association subsequently announced that it would proceed with the indefinite strike, directing Judicial Service employees to remain at home from Monday until its demands are met.

JUSAG also warned members of the public that the withdrawal of services would affect court proceedings and other administrative activities across the country.

It advised individuals whose cases are scheduled for Monday to take note of the expected disruption, explaining that staff would not be available to provide the usual support services.

The declaration raises the prospect of widespread disruption to court administration and access to judicial services unless an agreement is reached before the strike begins.

As of the association's Friday announcement, it had not withdrawn its decision to embark on the industrial action.