JUSAG strike enters second week despite gov’t approval of new service conditions

Supreme Court employees are among Judicial Service workers expected to remain off duty as the indefinite strike by JUSAG and SSAJUG enters its second week, despite government approval of new conditions of service and a payment plan for salary arrears.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson approved the implementation of new conditions of service for Judicial Service staff and members of the lower court bench, effective January 1, 2026.

In a letter dated November 2, he also approved the payment of associated salary arrears in two instalments, with arrears covering January to May scheduled for November and those for June to October to be paid in December.

However, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG) have maintained that the industrial action will continue until their demands are met.

In their latest update on Sunday, November 8, the unions said their leadership had engaged the government and Judicial Service management in an effort to reach an agreement.

“The leadership of JUSAG in collaboration with SSAJUG has engaged the Management of the Judicial Service and the Government over the past days with the view to reaching an agreement that balances the demand of the staff with any constraint that the Government may be facing,” the statement said.

They disclosed that their final demands were communicated to the government on Thursday, November 5.

“The unions communicated our final demand to the Government on Thursday, 5th November, 2026 stating that the revised position is the best the unions are able to come through in order to improve the living conditions of staff and restore justice delivery,” they added.

However, as of 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, the unions said they had received no official response from either the government or Judicial Service management.

“As at 4:00pm of Sunday, November 8, 2026, no official feedback was received from either the Government or Management of the Judicial Service,” the statement said.

The unions consequently directed all Judicial Service employees, including members serving at the Supreme Court, to stay away from work during the strike.

“Notice is further served that all staff including members serving at the Supreme Court shall stay away from work during the pendency of the strike,” they stated.

The industrial action, which began on November 2, is over concerns surrounding the implementation of the Judicial Council’s recommendations on the 2026 salary review and payment of revised salaries and outstanding arrears.

Acknowledging the impact of the strike on court users and institutions that depend on the Judicial Service, the unions said their members were unable to continue working under their present conditions.

“Whiles we empathize with the people of Ghana and the institutions who require our services, our present conditions make it impossible for us to render our services,” they said.

They stressed that the strike would remain in force until their demands were met.

“We shall return when our demands are met, and staff are highly satisfied and motivated,” the statement added.