The National Labour Commission (NLC) has summoned the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) and the Finance Minister to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 2pm.
The invitation by the Commission follows JUSAG’s threat to embark on a strike action on January 19 if salary arrears for its members are not paid.
In a letter addressed to the Finance Ministry and JUSAG, the Commission said it has called for a hearing of the issues to resolve the matter in exercise of its powers under section a39 of the Labour Act, (2003), Act 651.
The NLC has since advised JUSAG to suspend its intended strike pending the resolution of the matter.
“The National Labour Commission, in exercise of its powers under section 139 of the Labour Act, (2003), Act 651, writes to summon the parties to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 21st January, 2026 at 2:00 pm for a hearing of the issues in dispute.
“With this intervention, the Association is advised to stay the intended action(s) and appear as scheduled,” the letter stated.
JUSAG has threatened to embark on a strike action on January 19 if salary arrears for its members are not paid.
This is contained in a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission and sighted by 3news.com.
“The Judicial Service staff serving the third arm of Government (the Judiciary) is one of the important public sector workers whose services are critical to the maintenance of law, order, and stability. Unfortunately, the review of salaries has always been riddled with challenges. We are unable to bear the situation that the Government has subjected our hardworking members to,” the National President, Samuel Afotey Otu wrote.
He stated that, “The festive month of December was one of the most difficult moments for staff who were very expectant of the receipt of the much-anticipated eight (8) months arrears to appease them of the struggles they have gone through in 2025, only to be met with shock and disappointment.”
Mr Otu said the members are fed up with the unbearable situation they have been subjected to by the Government.
“We are unable to accept any excuse any longer. Therefore, the National Executive Council (NEC) of JUSAG held its emergency meeting and resolved to embark on an indefinite strike starting from Monday, 19th January 2026. The strike shall continue to be in force until our demand for payment of the eight (8) months’ salary arrears from January to August 2025 is fully met,” JUSAG warned.
JUSAG referred to previous engagement with the Ministry of Finance and the Government, a letter of the Honourable Deputy Minister of Finance dated 15th September, 2025, with reference number BD/CPMU/JS/COS/25/09, and our subsequent follow-ups and engagement with the Government in respect of review of salaries and related allowances for employees of the Judicial Service for 2025.
Mr Otu said this development has strengthened their resolve not to backdown on their decision to strike.
“From the understanding reached with the Government, and in line with Article 149 of the Constitution, His Excellency the President of Ghana approved a base pay increase by 10% for 2025 for Judicial Service workers effective 1st January 2025. This was in line with the approval granted to all public sector workers.
Unlike other public sector workers, the implementation of the 10% base pay adjustment in related allowance was implemented in September 2025, with assurance that the rest of the arrears covering January to August 2025 would be paid subsequently. Engagements and understanding reached were that payments were to be effected not later than the 2025 fiscal year. Unfortunately, the Government failed to honour its promise of paying the arrears in 2025.
By the letter dated 16th December, 2025, with reference number JUSAG/NP/215/25, we wrote to the Judicial Council through the Judicial Secretary for the payment of the arrears to be made in December, 2025. Despite the assurance from Management by the letter dated this December, 2025, with reference number OJS/U/29/V.1/2025, the arrears remained unpaid,” he lamented.
