'We won't return to work if revised conditions of service not implemented' — JUSAG

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has ruled out suspending its ongoing strike until government addresses its objections to the revised conditions of service and ensures that the final approval complies with the relevant legal provisions.

The association says President John Dramani Mahama must ensure that all the provisions submitted by the Judicial Council are captured in the approved conditions of service, arguing that entitlements guaranteed to Judicial Service employees cannot be selectively approved.

JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu made the position clear during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, November 9, explaining that the dispute arose from what the association considers omissions in the President’s approval of the revised conditions of service.

He said the approved arrangements did not fully reflect the provisions of Constitutional Instrument 141 (CI 141), as recommended by the Judicial Council.

“Where the law provides that ABC should be given to Judicial staff, in our humble opinion, it is not for the President to pick and choose out of that and so what was approved did not conform with the provisions of CI 141, as was recommended by the Judicial Council and to that extent, we indicated that the President’s approval should be revised to meet what has been given to staff by law.

“We have had an indication that this Monday evening, a communication will come and a meeting will be held and there is hope that our demands will be met so we could announce to the public that the strike has come to an end.”

Mr Yakubu expressed optimism that planned communication and engagements with government on Monday evening could lead to a resolution, paving the way for the association to announce an end to the industrial action.

JUSAG began an indefinite strike on Monday, November 2, after government failed to approve its proposed adjustments to salaries and associated allowances for Judicial Service employees.

The withdrawal of services has disrupted the operations of the Judicial Service, as staff continue to press for changes to their remuneration and conditions of employment.