JUSAG defends indefinite strike, says government had 10 months to resolve salary concerns

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has defended its decision to embark on an indefinite strike, saying it gave the government 10 months to resolve concerns over its reviewed salaries and allowances before resorting to industrial action.

The association’s General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, said members had exercised restraint despite the financial difficulties they were facing and expected the government to demonstrate empathy by addressing their demands.

Speaking on JoyNews, Mr Yakubu said the strike would not prevent the association from engaging the government to resolve the dispute.

“Engaging the government doesn’t depend on putting the strike on hold. The strike can be in force and then we engage government. We have considered the impact of the strike on the ordinary Ghanaian and decided to restrain ourselves for 10 whole months,” he said.

He added that JUSAG had notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) and relevant government authorities well ahead of the strike, giving them sufficient time to address the concerns.

Mr Yakubu said members had not received their reviewed salaries and allowances for 10 months, leaving many struggling to cope with rising living costs.

He cited increases in transport fares, fuel prices and accommodation costs as factors that had reduced the purchasing power of members’ salaries.

“Ordinarily, once inflation kicks in, especially in areas of transport, fuel prices, housing accommodation, what you earn 12 months ago can no longer buy what it could buy 12 months ago. And by implication, the cost of living has increased. And when that happens, you struggle,” he said.

He described the financial difficulties facing some members, saying a number of staff were unable to afford daily transport home after work.

“I know staff who come to work and they can’t go home. They have to sleep and go home only during weekends because affording transport is a challenge for them,” he said.

Mr Yakubu said members had also been asked to remain calm in September, when school fees were due, and had complied, but insisted that their situation had become increasingly difficult.

The General Secretary also criticised the Labour Minister, accusing him of failing to engage the association promptly after the strike was announced.

He said the NLC had advised JUSAG to suspend the strike and asked the Labour Minister to initiate discussions with the association, but maintained that the Commission’s advice was not a directive or an order.

Mr Yakubu said the association expected the Minister to engage its leadership immediately, but no such meeting was arranged in the days following the announcement.

“Monday, he was given the directive. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, he never took any step to engage. It was only close of business on Thursday that we received a letter that there is going to be a meeting on Tuesday,” he said.

JUSAG began an indefinite strike on Monday, November 2, 2026, over the government’s failure to approve and pay the association’s reviewed 2026 salaries and arrears.

The National Labour Commission has asked the Labour Minister to lead emergency negotiations involving the government, Judicial Service management and JUSAG executives.

The Commission has also requested a progress report by November 6, 2026.

However, JUSAG has maintained that the strike will continue until concrete steps are taken to secure approval of its salary reviews.

A meeting between the association and the Labour Minister is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The outcome is expected to influence the next steps in the industrial action.