Ghana NLC: JUSAG Strike Averted Over Judicial Service Salary Dispute

• The National Labour Commission (NLC) intervened to prevent an indefinite strike by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) scheduled for November 2, 2026.
• JUSAG planned the strike due to delays in approving and implementing a proposed review of salaries and allowances for Judicial Service staff.
• The NLC directed the Minister of Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, to engage with JUSAG and other government stakeholders to resolve the dispute.
• JUSAG demands approval of 2026 salary recommendations by October, payment of revised salaries in November, and arrears from January to October 2026.
• The NLC advised JUSAG to suspend the strike, citing Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) Ghana, and requested a report on negotiations by November 6, 2026.

The National Labour Commission's timely intervention aims to resolve the disagreement through structured engagement, thereby preventing an industrial action that could significantly disrupt the vital functions of the Judicial Service.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has taken decisive action to prevent a potential disruption within the Judicial Service, directing the Minister of Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, to engage with the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG). This intervention successfully averted a planned indefinite strike by JUSAG, which was scheduled to commence on November 2, 2026. The industrial action was threatened due to persistent delays in the approval and implementation of a proposed review of salaries and associated allowances for Judicial Service personnel.

JUSAG's demands include the approval of the Judicial Council’s recommendations for a 2026 salary review by the close of October. Furthermore, the association insists on the payment of these revised salaries in November, alongside arrears covering the period from January to October 2026. The core of the Ghana Judicial Service salary dispute lies in the protracted process of finalizing this review and subsequently implementing the agreed adjustments. The association had set November 2, 2026, as the critical deadline for these issues to be resolved before proceeding with the strike.

In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the NLC formally instructed the Minister to initiate discussions with JUSAG and other relevant government stakeholders to find a resolution to the dispute before the impending walkout. As part of its directive, the Commission also requested a comprehensive report on the outcome of these engagements by Friday, November 6, 2026. This move by the National Labour Commission Ghana is a crucial step in addressing the grievances and preventing widespread service interruptions.

The National Labour Commission Ghana's intervention is grounded in its statutory mandate to promote industrial peace and resolve labour disputes. In its communication, the NLC specifically advised JUSAG to suspend its planned strike, referencing Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) Ghana. This section of the law provides the framework for managing industrial actions and underscores the Commission's authority to mediate such disputes.

JUSAG had formally notified the NLC of its intention to embark on industrial action through a letter dated October 23, 2026. This notification served as a warning that its members would withdraw their services if the government failed to address their concerns regarding the salary review. The NLC's subsequent directive places a clear responsibility on the Minister of Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, to facilitate negotiations between the parties and relevant government institutions to settle the outstanding issues. The NLC's letter, signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Bernice A. Welbeck, was widely circulated, with copies sent to key offices including the Office of the President, Judicial Secretary Mr. Musah Ahmed, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Minister of Finance Cassiel Ato Forson, and JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu, among others, highlighting the broad governmental awareness and involvement in this matter.

The successful averting of the Ghana NLC JUSAG strike is significant, as an industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana would have severely impacted administrative and support services across the Judicial Service. The extent of any disruption would have been contingent on the level of participation from JUSAG members and the status of ongoing negotiations, potentially leading to widespread delays in court proceedings and other critical judicial functions.

The National Labour Commission's timely intervention aims to resolve the disagreement through structured engagement, thereby preventing an industrial action that could significantly disrupt the vital functions of the Judicial Service. The upcoming discussions, mandated by the NLC, are expected to focus on the status of the Judicial Council’s salary review recommendations, the approval process, and the practical arrangements for paying the revised salaries and the accumulated arrears. The NLC's requirement for a report by November 6, just five days after JUSAG's initial strike deadline, underscores the urgency and importance of these negotiations.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should closely monitor the outcome of the NLC-mandated negotiations between JUSAG and the Labour Minister. A failure to resolve the salary dispute could still lead to industrial action, potentially disrupting court proceedings, administrative services, and critical filing deadlines within the Judicial Service, necessitating contingency planning for ongoing cases and regulatory compliance.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com