The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) of its intention to embark on industrial action over delays by the government in approving and implementing a review of salaries and related allowances for Judicial Service staff for 2026.
In a letter dated October 23, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NLC, the association expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as prolonged delays in addressing its concerns, despite repeated appeals to the relevant authorities.
JUSAG said the delay had heightened tension and dampened staff morale, warning that its members had waited for months without receiving their reviewed salaries and allowances.
The association copied the notification to the Executive Secretary at the Office of the President, the Judicial Secretary, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations.
According to JUSAG, the conditions of service of Judicial Service staff, including judicial officers and executive officers, are governed by Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141).
The association explained that under the constitutional and regulatory framework, the salaries and conditions of service of Judicial Service staff are determined by the President on the advice of the Judicial Council.
It further cited Regulation 25 of C.I. 141, which provides for an annual review of salaries for staff of the Service.
JUSAG said the previous salary review expired in December 2025, prompting it to formally request a review for 2026 through the Judicial Council.
The council, according to the association, completed its work and submitted its recommendations to the President for consideration and determination in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
However, the association said the process had yet to be concluded, leaving its members without the expected adjustments to their salaries and related allowances for the current year.
JUSAG said it had made several attempts to get the authorities to expedite the salary review process.
It noted that on January 19, 2026, it wrote to the Judicial Council, urging it to speed up the process because of the delays.
The letter, referenced JUSAG/HQNP/215/25, was followed by another communication to management on September 10, 2026, referenced JUSAG/NP/089/2026, as the association continued to press for a resolution.
Beyond the official correspondence, JUSAG said it had made public appeals at several engagements, including its Second Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale in August 2026, the 45th AMJG Conference in Accra in September 2026, and the Chief Justice’s Staff Durbar in Tamale, also in September.
Despite these engagements, the association said it had received assurances but had yet to see concrete action by the government towards approving the Judicial Council’s recommendations and paying the reviewed salaries.
JUSAG expressed frustration that the matter remained unresolved nearly ten months into 2026, notwithstanding its repeated efforts to secure an outcome through dialogue.
The association also expressed concern over what it described as unequal treatment compared with other public sector workers.
According to JUSAG, the new salaries for other public sector employees were approved and paid in January 2026, while Judicial Service staff were still awaiting the outcome of their salary review in October.
It argued that the situation has become increasingly difficult for its members, particularly as organised labour had already begun negotiations over base pay for 2027.
JUSAG said it is concerned that Judicial Service staff remains without their reviewed base pay and allowances for 2026 while discussions on the following year’s remuneration are underway elsewhere in the public sector.
The association maintained that the prolonged delay and uncertainty undermines the principles underpinning the salary determination framework introduced under C.I. 141.
It called for the authorities to take the necessary steps to conclude the process and ensure that the recommendations submitted by the Judicial Council are addressed.
Although JUSAG has formally notified the NLC of its intention to embark on industrial action, the statement did not specify a date for the commencement of the proposed action.
The association acknowledged the potential consequences of industrial action for the administration of justice and national security, noting that it has consistently urged aggrieved members to exercise restraint while efforts continues to resolve the matter through engagement with management.
However, its latest notification signals an escalation in the association’s efforts to secure the outstanding salary review after months of unsuccessful appeals.
JUSAG’s action now places the matter before the National Labour Commission, with the association seeking attention to its concerns over the delay in the determination and implementation of the 2026 salary adjustments.
The association is urging the relevant authorities to act on the outstanding recommendations and bring the process to a conclusion.
By 1960news.com
