Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, starting Wednesday, November 13.
This is to press home its members’ demand for review of their current salaries immediately and not in the year 2020 for implementation in 2021 as suggested by government.
The Association on November 1, 2019 served notice to embark on the industrial action if the demand was not adhered to by government.
According to the notice, captured in a letter, “current salaries of members of JUSAG was implemented in the year 2017 and to be renewed bi-annually. However, in the year 2017, the Ministry of Finance sought to cancel the payment of rent allowance to our members and after several protests, the Judicial Council, Government and the Association resolved the issue in 2018 and for implementation in year 2019”.
The letter of notice further stated: “In 2019, the Association wrote for the salary negotiations on 26th April, 2019 and subsequenty served a reminder on 29h July, 2019. On 1st October, 2019 the Judicial Council, mandated to review our salaries and other salary related matters under the 1992 Constitution, set up a committee and considered the proposals of the Association. At the meeting, it was resolved that the decisions of the meetng will be forwarded to the Presidency for approval and same captured in the National Budget for year 2020″.
“It has however, come to our attention that Ministry of Finance has rather slated our salary review for the year 2020 and for implementation in year 2021. The Association vehemently disagrees with the position taken by government, hence our present demand.”
Addressing the press to announce the decision to go on strike, National President of JUSAG Alex Nartey said leadership resolved that since JUSAG has complied with the procedures under the 1992 Constitution regarding members’ conditions of service, they decided to proceed on strike.
This was communicated to the National Labour Commission (NLC) at a meeting on Monday.
“In view of the above, the leadership of JUSAG is left with no option than to declare an indefinite strike action to demand the assenting and implementation of the Judicial Council Committee’s report.”
By the declaration, no staff or member of JUSAG shall report to work on Wednesday but security personnel of the Judicial Service shall report to work to protect life and property.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana