JUSAG declares indefinite nationwide strike on November 2 over unpaid salary adjustments

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike beginning Monday, November 2, 2026, in protest against the government's failure to approve and implement revised salaries and allowances for its members.

The Association's General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, announced the industrial action at a press conference at the Supreme Court on Friday, directing all Judicial Service employees to stay away from work until the President approves the revised salaries and ensures payment in November, including arrears for January to October 2026.

“All staff of the Judicial Service are directed not to report for work from Monday, November 2, 2026, unless and until His Excellency the President complies with Article 149 and CI 141 by approving our new salaries and paying them in November 2026, together with all arrears from January to October 2026,” he said.

Mr Yakubu outlined specific instructions for staff during the strike, stressing that security personnel must remain at their duty posts to protect Judicial Service property. Drivers, meanwhile, have been directed to return official vehicles in their possession to the Transport Department and refrain from driving any officer or judge throughout the industrial action.

He also instructed registrars not to open court registries or allow them to be opened for official business while the strike remains in force.

The General Secretary further urged members to resist any pressure or threats from management aimed at compelling them to resume work or undertake official duties. He asked affected staff to report such incidents to the Association, warning that JUSAG would respond collectively through lawful means to any attempt to intimidate its members.

Mr Yakubu said the Association had formally notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) on October 23 of its intention to embark on the strike, citing the government's failure to approve the Judicial Council's recommendations for a salary review.

According to him, the notification detailed engagements and other efforts undertaken since December 2025 to secure revised salaries for 2026, but these initiatives had failed to produce the desired outcome.

He explained that mounting dissatisfaction among members led the National Executive Council (NEC) to set October 30, 2026, as the deadline for the approval of the Judicial Council's recommendations. The NEC also demanded that the revised salaries be paid in November, alongside all outstanding arrears.

The Association subsequently resolved that failure by the government to meet these demands by November 1 would trigger an indefinite strike the following day.

Mr Yakubu noted that the notification to the NLC was also copied to the Ministers of Jobs, Labour and Employment, and Finance; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; the Executive Secretary to the President; and the Judicial Secretary, insisting that all relevant stakeholders had been informed of the dispute.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry responsible for employment, accusing it of delaying its intervention until October 26, when the NLC directed it to organise a meeting between the parties and report on the outcome.

He said the Commission had scheduled the parties to report back on November 6, four days after the planned commencement of the strike. The Ministry of Jobs, Labour and Employment had also arranged a meeting for November 3, after the industrial action was expected to begin.

The JUSAG General Secretary also rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to settle the outstanding arrears in three instalments, arguing that the proposal did not indicate when the payments would be made.

He said the proposal was presented without consulting the Association, which he described as the principal representative of the workers entitled to the payments.

Mr Yakubu said the government's approach had deepened the Association's disappointment, despite the patience and efforts members had demonstrated in seeking the implementation of their entitlements.

“We have been patient, we have been reasonable, we have gone the extra mile, and our patience has been taken for granted,” he said.