Judicial Service workers call off strike
The members of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG) have decided to resume work today, bringing an end to the indefinite strike they embarked on over the non-payment of their outstanding allowances by the government.
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The strike was called off following the decision of the government to release the outstanding allowances owed the members of the association.
The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, who announced this at a press conference in Accra yesterday, said: “As a government, we have committed to honour our obligations to ensure the speedy release of the outstanding allowances owed the members of JUSSAG.
“I do have reliable information that the Ministry of Finance, through the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and the Bank of Ghana, has accordingly credited the account of the Judicial Service.
“The said amount of money, which should be adequate enough to deal with the outstanding allowances due, will be made payable to the members of JUSSAG.”
The conference was attended by the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Baba Jamal; the Judicial Secretary, Mr Justice Alex Opoku-Acheampong, and the President of JUSSAG, Mr Alex Nartey.
Strike action
Members of JUSSAG embarked on an indefinite strike on May 20, 2015 following the failure of the government to pay them their outstanding allowances since July 2014.
They also expressed strong sentiments against the non-existence of a fair promotion policy within the Judicial Service, a working condition they argued placed workers of JUSSAG at a disadvantage.
The strike crippled all court activities at the various courts in Accra and across the country.
Improved service conditions
Mr Iddrisu said the dialogue and negotiations with the members of JUSSAG had yielded a fruitful outcome and “we expect full restoration of justice administration to run more effectively from Friday”.
“I trust that we will work together, build bridges and develop good faith in each other,” he added.
With regard to promotion for the staff of the Judicial Service, the minister said the service had already received some proposals from JUSSAG.
“Together with the existing conditions of service, we expect a draft on new conditions of service by JUSSAG by June 30, 2015, just as is being done for all health personnel,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
Reasons for delay
According to him, the Judiciary was an independent arm of government that had its own budget and system.
“The delay in the release of the allowances was occasioned by a delay from the Ministry of Finance,” he said, and commended the Chief Justice for using her leadership to utilise internally generated funds of the service to assuage the grievances of the workers.
Recall of members
For his part, Mr Nartey assured the minister that the rank and file of the association would return to the courtrooms today.
He commended the ministry for its commitment to resolve the grievances of the association, saying, “We will reach out to our members nationwide to report to work on Friday.”