Gov't, JUSSAG set to lock horns in 'decider' meeting

The government is set to meet the leadership of striking Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG), Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has disclosed.

The meeting which comes on Tuesday, May 24, will afford the government the opportunity to inform JUSSAG leadership about actions taken to address the protracted salary.

JUSSAG declared an indefinite strike on May 20 over the failure of the government to implement the consolidation of salaries and allowances recommended by the Judicial Council for its members.

The strike has hampered justice delivery in the country, as court complex and other courts have been locked.

Police prosecutors, litigants, and lawyers have been left disillusioned whilst the Supreme Court, the court complex, and magistrate courts looked deserted, Joy News has gathered.

This is the longest strike declared by the Association after it a series of two brief strikes in the months of May and April 2016.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) condemned the strike calling it unlawful.

It contended the Association failed to respect the Labour laws of the country and threatened to resort to the court to instil sanity into the Association.

However, the President of JUSSAG, has hinted the Association is not meeting government over negotiations but on the implementation of the recommendation of the Judicial Council.

Speaking to Joy News ahead of the meeting, Mr Iddrisu said the concerns of the Association could only be addressed during dialogue and entreated the leadership to “respect and honor our invitation.”

According to him, it is important for the Association to learn to follow due process in its dealings with government.

Touching on steps taken to address the grievances of the Association, Mr Iddrisu said because the salary of the judicial service workers are linked to that of the lower court, once the court’s consolidated salary and conditions of service are approved, those of JUSSAG would also be approved.

“This is a work in progress and the Office of the President is facilitating that,” he added.

The outcome of the current indefinite strike of the Association would be dependent on the outcome of the meeting.