JUSAG to strike on January 19 over 8 months’ salary arrears

The Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) has threatened to embark on strike action on January 19 if salary arrears for its members are not paid.

This is contained in a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission and sighted by uniquenewsgh.com.

“The Judicial Service staff serving the third arm of government (the Judiciary) is one of the important public sector workers whose services are critical to the maintenance of law, order, and stability. Unfortunately, the review of salaries has always been riddled with challenges. We are unable to bear the situation that the government has subjected our hard-working members to,” the National President, Samuel Afotey Otu, wrote.

He stated that, “The festive month of December was one of the most difficult moments for staff who were very expectant of the receipt of the much-anticipated eight (8) months’ arrears to appease them for the struggles they have gone through in 2025, only to be met with shock and disappointment.”

Mr Otu said the members are fed up with the unbearable situation they have been subjected to by the Government.

“We are unable to accept any excuse any longer. Therefore, the National Executive Council (NEC) of JUSAG held its emergency meeting and resolved to embark on an indefinite strike starting from Monday, 19th January 2026. The strike shall continue to be in force until our demand for payment of the eight (8) months’ salary arrears from January to August 2025 is fully met,” JUSAG warned.

JUSAG referred to previous engagement with the Ministry of Finance and the Government, a letter of the Honourable Deputy Minister of Finance dated 15th September, 2025, with reference number BD/CPMU/JS/COS/25/09, and our subsequent follow-ups and engagement with the Government in respect of the review of salaries and related allowances for employees of the Judicial Service for 2025.

Mr Otu said this development has strengthened their resolve not to back down on their decision to strike.

“From the understanding reached with the Government, and in line with Article 149 of the Constitution, His Excellency the President of Ghana approved a base pay increase of 10% for 2025 for Judicial Service workers effective 1st January 2025. This was in line with the approval granted to all public sector workers.

Unlike other public sector workers, the implementation of the 10% base pay adjustment in related allowance was implemented in September 2025, with assurance that the rest of the arrears covering January to August 2025 would be paid subsequently. Engagements and understanding reached were that payments were to be effected not later than the 2025 fiscal year. Unfortunately, the government failed to honour its promise of paying the arrears in 2025.

By the letter dated 16th December, 2025, with reference number JUSAG/NP/215/25, we wrote to the Judicial Council through the Judicial Secretary for the payment of the arrears to be made in December, 2025. Despite the assurance from management by the letter dated this December, 2025, with reference number OJS/U/29/V.1/2025, the arrears remained unpaid,” he lamented.