NLC moves to avert JUSAG strike, calls for talks over unpaid salary arrears

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has intervened in the ongoing salary dispute between the government and the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), urging the Association to suspend its planned indefinite strike scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026.

The Commission has requested the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to engage the parties involved in the dispute and work towards resolving the outstanding salary concerns.

In a statement marked "Very Urgent" and signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr Bernice A. Welbeck, the NLC directed that a report on the outcome of the engagements be submitted by Friday, November 6, 2026.

The intervention follows a formal notice of industrial action submitted by JUSAG on October 23, in which the Association expressed dissatisfaction with delays in the approval and payment of revised salaries and allowances for Judicial Service employees.

JUSAG demands salary review and arrears

The Association has accused the government of failing to address concerns surrounding the implementation of its members' 2026 salary review despite repeated appeals to the relevant authorities.

JUSAG is demanding approval of the Judicial Council's recommendations on the revised salaries by the end of October 2026.

It also wants the government to pay the reviewed salaries in November, together with outstanding arrears covering January to October 2026.

The Association has warned that failure to resolve the matter would compel its members to withdraw their services indefinitely, beginning Monday, November 2.

NLC calls for immediate engagement

Responding to the strike notice, the Labour Commission acknowledged receipt of JUSAG's complaint and called for discussions between the government and representatives of the Association.

According to the Commission, the engagement is necessary to address the issues raised by Judicial Service employees before the planned industrial action takes effect.

The NLC consequently requested the Labour Minister to lead discussions involving the relevant parties and report on the outcome by November 6.

The Commission also advised JUSAG to put its planned industrial action on hold while efforts are made to resolve the dispute.

The advice was issued with reference to Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

Possible disruption to court operations

The threatened strike comes amid growing concerns among Judicial Service employees over the continued delay in implementing their reviewed conditions of service.

Should the Association proceed with the industrial action, administrative activities within the courts could be affected, with potential consequences for lawyers, litigants and other court users.

The NLC's intervention is therefore intended to create an opportunity for dialogue before the dispute results in a withdrawal of services.

For now, JUSAG's November 2 strike notice remains the stated position of the Association, as the Commission seeks engagement between the parties.

The outcome of the discussions is expected to determine whether the dispute can be resolved without industrial action.