Bar Association demands immediate resolution of JUSAG issues

The Ghana Bar Association has asked the government to take immediate steps to address the concerns of the judicial service workers.

The lawyers say government must “expedite action on all matters relating to the implementation of the consolidation of salaries of staff of the Judicial Service once and for all.”

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) called a strike last week Friday, May 20, 2016, after abandoning salary negotiations with government.

The workers accused government of failing to implement a consolidated salary level recommended by the Judicial Council.

Commenting on the development, the GBA said it is deeply concerned about “the indefinite strike action declared and embarked upon by the members of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) with effect from Friday, the 20th of May 2016.”

A statement signed by president of the GBA, Mr. Benson Nutsukpui, said the “Bar views this development as unfortunate considering its adverse effect on the admini5tration of justice in Ghana.”

It said, “The adjudication of cases nationwide has been rendered impossible and all work in our courts has virtually ground to a halt since the commencement of the strike action. The result is that citizens seeking justice in our courts are being deprived of the audience and adjudication that they deserve and have a right to.”

“The GBA is concerned that the underlying cause of this strike, implementing the consolidation of salaries of JUSAG members, has been long-standing and should have been definitely and conclusively resolved much earlier than now.

“The Bar considers as unfortunate, the recurrent situation where such labour matters are not addressed timeously, leading to avoidable industrial actions that cost the nation and its citizens in ways that may never be fully appreciated. It is important that the Government and the National Labour Commission attend to and address such issues with dispatch to avoid such unfortunate consequences.

“We specifically entreat the Government to immediately expedite action on all matters relating to the implementation of the consolidation of salaries of staff of the Judicial Service once and for all.

“While expressing unalloyed sympathy with the cause of JUSAG, the GBA is concerned about the course of action and the probably unintended, yet grave consequences of the strike action. We, therefore, appeal to the members of JUSAG to resume work, thereby empowering their leaders with the moral authority to conduct any negotiations and pursue their legitimate claims on their behalf.

“We are of the firm belief that as major stakeholders in the justice delivery system JUSAG will heed our plea to call off the strike,” the GBA completed.