The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) to call off its planned strike while negotiations take place over salaries and related allowances.
The association had notified the Commission that it intended to begin industrial action on 2nd November, 2026, unless its concerns were fully addressed.
In a letter dated October 26, 2026, and signed by the NLC Executive Secretary, Dr. Bernice A. Welbeck, the Commission confirmed it had received JUSAG’s “Notification of Industrial Action”, dated 23rd October, 2026.
According to the notice, JUSAG said the government had “failed and/or refused to address their concerns regarding the review of salaries and related allowances for staff of the Association.”
The NLC has asked the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to lead talks between the parties involved. The letter was also copied to the Office of the President, the Judicial Secretary, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Minister of Finance, and JUSAG’s leadership.
“The National Labour Commission hereby requests the Hon. Minister of Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to lead discussions with those attentioned in the Notice as in paragraph ‘one’ above and to engage the Association representing the workers to discuss the issues in contention,” the letter stated.
The Commission has set Friday, 6th November, 2026, as the deadline for the Labour Minister to submit a report on the discussions.
It also advised JUSAG to suspend its proposed action while the matter remains before the Commission.
“Meanwhile with this intervention, the Association is advised to stay the intended action in pursuance of Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003, Act 651,” the NLC added.
Section 161 prevents a party involved in a labour dispute from taking industrial action while the case is before the Commission, unless the Commission fails to resolve the matter within the stipulated period.
JUSAG’s history of strikes
JUSAG represents non-judicial employees of the Judicial Service, including registrars, interpreters, clerks, bailiffs and administrative staff.
Those workers maintain court records, manage dockets, execute judgments and act as the first point of contact for litigants.
The association has previously taken industrial action over conditions of service. Under Articles 149 and 158(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the salaries and allowances of Judicial Service staff are to be reviewed every two years following advice from the Judicial Council to the President.
JUSAG strikes in 2015, 2016, 2019 and May 2023 were linked to unpaid allowances, delays in implementing consolidated salaries and the failure to introduce the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
The 2015 and 2016 actions severely disrupted court activity nationwide. An indefinite strike in May 2023 closed courts across the country before it was conditionally suspended following a memorandum of understanding with the government, represented by the Office of the President, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
The NLC’s intervention is intended to prevent another nationwide disruption to court operations while negotiations continue.
