The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite strike over government’s failure to approve reviewed salaries and other allowances of its members.

According to the association, it can no longer countenance the mistreatment of its members, hence its decision to go an indefinite strike. By this declaration, the association urged all staff not to report to work until President Akufo-Addo complies with Article 149 of the constitution by approving and paying new salaries of staff from January to date.

“We have suffered enough. We can no longer bear it. An empty sack cannot stand upright. The National Executive Council of JUSAG, upon consultations with the Judicial Service Ladies Association of Ghana, Senior Staff Association (SSAJUG), Driver Association, Finance Staff Association, and all stakeholders who matter, hereby declared an indefinite strike.”
Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana

Contained in a statement dated May 24, 2023, JUSAG accused the government of consistent dishonesty in attending to the conditions of service and other emoluments owed its members. It noted that its proposals to the government on the implementation of the approved cost of living allowance for members were not urgently attended to.

As part of its decision, JUSAG called on the leadership of the Association of Judges and Magistrates to join the strike since the greater number of its members are also affected by the injustice and suffering JUSAG members are going through.

Elaborating on its concerns, JUSAG stated that per article 149 and 158(2) of the constitution, salaries, allowances and other conditions of staff of the Judicial Service are determined by the President upon the advice of the Judicial Council acting in consultation with the Public Services Commission. Conventionally, it explained that salaries and allowances are reviewed every two year and the last review of salaries was in 2021 and implemented from 1st January 2021 to 31st December, 2022.

“By implication, we were due for another review to be implemented 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2024.”
Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana

Concerns by JUSAG on salaries and allowances

The association recalled that government introduced the Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) in July 2022 for all public sector workers including staff of the judicial service due to the economic condition the country was and is currently undergoing.

On its part, JUSAG explained that it submitted a proposal for review of salaries for 2023-2024 on 31st October, 2022, to the Judicial Council for consideration in its advice to the President. In November 2022, it highlighted that the judicial council set up a committee comprising of representative of JUSAG, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Public Services Commission, Judicial Secretary and three other members of the judicial council.

Furthermore, JUSAG noted that after the committee submitted the work to the Judicial Council, in February 2023, and subsequently approved. However, it indicated that government in 2023 withdrew the COLA in 2023 for all public sector workers which affected the judicial service workers.

“JUSAG made an appeal to the government for the COLA to be maintained in the interim while government works to approve and implement the new salaries to replace COLA. Unfortunately, that was not heeded to, and we were saddened by the position of government.”
Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana

On May 5, 2023, JUSAG stated that it sent a resolution to President Akufo-Addo for him to expedite action for the approval and implementation of the new salaries since members were and are still experiencing economic hardships. As a consequent, it explained that JUSAG gave government up until May 12, 2023, for the approval, failing which members will embark on an industrial action.

After several pleas, JUSAG has deemed it necessary to carry out the strike action to drive home further its demands.