NLC steps in to avert November 2 JUSAG strike

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has moved to prevent a looming disruption in the Judicial Service, directing the Minister of Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to engage the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) over its planned industrial action. The intervention follows JUSAG’s threat to begin an indefinite strike on November 2, 2026, over delays in approving and implementing a proposed review of salaries and related allowances for Judicial Service staff.

In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the Commission asked the Minister to initiate discussions with the association and the relevant government stakeholders to resolve the dispute before the planned walkout. The NLC has also requested a report on the outcome of the engagement by Friday, November 6, 2026. As part of its intervention, the Commission advised JUSAG to suspend the planned strike, citing Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

Salary review dispute JUSAG had notified the Commission of its intended industrial action in a letter dated October 23, 2026, warning that its members would withdraw their services if the government failed to address their concerns over the salary review. The association is demanding approval of the Judicial Council’s recommendations for a 2026 salary review by the end of October, with the revised salaries to be paid in November.

It is also seeking arrears covering January to October 2026. The dispute centres on delays in completing the review and implementing the proposed adjustments, with the association setting November 2 as the deadline for action. The planned strike could affect administrative and support services within the Judicial Service if the dispute remains unresolved.

The extent of any disruption would depend on the participation of members and the status of negotiations. NLC seeks dialogue The Commission’s directive places responsibility on the Labour Minister to bring the parties and relevant government institutions to the negotiating table in an effort to settle the outstanding issues. The NLC’s intervention is aimed at resolving the disagreement through engagement and preventing an industrial action that could disrupt the work of the Judicial Service.

The letter was signed by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Dr Bernice A. Welbeck, and copied to the Office of the President, the Judicial Secretary, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Minister of Finance, and JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu, among other recipients. With the strike deadline approaching, the proposed engagement is expected to focus on the status of the Judicial Council’s salary review recommendations, the approval process and arrangements for paying the revised salaries and arrears.

The NLC has asked the Minister to report on the outcome of the discussions by November 6, five days after the date JUSAG has set for the commencement of its planned strike.