JUSAG Publicizes Strike on January 19 Over Unpaid Wage Arrears – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has formally declared an indefinite national strike set to commence on Monday, January 19. This decision follows the government’s failure to settle eight months of unpaid salary arrears owed to judicial service workers. The labor dispute centers on the non-payment of a 10% base pay increment for 2025, which was approved by the President for public sector employees but was not implemented for judicial staff until September 2025. Despite written assurances from the Ministry of Finance that the arrears from January to August would be settled before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, these commitments remain unfulfilled. Consequently, JUSAG’s National Executive Council has resolved to withdraw services indefinitely until the outstanding wage arrears are paid in full.

Key Points

Here are the critical details regarding the impending industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana:

Strike Commencement and Duration

JUSAG has announced that the nationwide strike will begin on Monday, January 19. Unlike a sit-down protest or a partial withdrawal of services, this is an indefinite strike, meaning judicial staff will remain at home indefinitely until their demands are met. This open-ended duration poses a significant risk to the continuity of justice in Ghana.

Core Cause: Unpaid Salary Arrears

The primary trigger for the strike is the non-payment of eight months of salary arrears. These arrears date back to the beginning of the 2025 fiscal year. The dispute stems from a delay in the implementation of a 10% base pay increase, which resulted in a gap between the salaries paid to judicial staff and the approved rates for other public sector workers.

Official Notification

In adherence to Ghanaian labor laws, JUSAG has served a formal notice of the industrial action to the National Labour Commission (NLC). This notification is a procedural requirement that legitimizes the strike, provided the association has exhausted dialogue avenues with the employer (the state).

Impact on Court Operations

The association has warned that this industrial action is likely to paralyze court operations across the country. Given that judicial staff are essential to the functioning of the courts—from record keeping to registry services and bailiff duties—the strike will effectively halt the administration of justice.

Background

The 2025 Base Pay Increment

The root of the current standoff lies in the compensation structure for 2025. At the start of the year, the President of Ghana approved a 10% base pay increase for all public sector employees. While workers in other government agencies received this adjustment immediately, judicial service staff were excluded from the initial payroll cycle.

Delayed Implementation and Government Assurance

JUSAG members only began receiving the increased salary rates in September 2025. At the time of the delayed implementation, the government provided a written assurance that the arrears accumulated from January through August would be paid. The specific promise was that these arrears would be settled “not later than the 2025 fiscal year,” which typically ends on December 31.

Breakdown of Trust

The relationship between JUSAG and the government became strained when the December deadline passed without payment. A specific written assurance was given on December 16, 2025, by the Ministry of Finance, promising settlement within that month. When the funds did not reflect in staff accounts, the trust between the parties was broken. JUSAG noted that the festive season in December was particularly difficult for members who were expecting the arrears to fulfill financial obligations.

Analysis

The Financial Strain on Judicial Staff

For judicial workers, the absence of eight months of salary adjustments represents a significant financial loss. In an economic environment where inflation and cost of living are constant pressures, a 10% pay increase is substantial. Going without this accrued income for nearly a year creates an “unbearable situation,” as described in JUSAG’s press statement. The psychological impact of expecting pay and receiving promises instead has demoralized the workforce.

Systemic Issues in Public Sector Wage Management

This incident highlights a recurring challenge in Ghana’s public sector wage administration: the synchronization of payroll adjustments. When specific sectors like the Judicial Service are left out of initial payroll uploads, the administrative burden of catching up on arrears often leads to delays. The failure to pay the arrears before the end of the fiscal year suggests potential liquidity issues or bureaucratic inefficiencies within the payroll processing chain.

The Critical Role of the Judiciary

JUSAG emphasizes that judicial staff are “critical to the maintenance of law, order, and stability.” An indefinite strike by the judiciary is not merely a labor dispute; it is a constitutional crisis. The right to a fair trial and the resolution of disputes are fundamental pillars of democracy. When the courts close, civil cases involving land, family disputes, and commercial contracts are stalled, and criminal matters face indefinite postponement, potentially leading to prolonged detention of suspects awaiting trial.

Practical Advice

For Litigants and Legal Practitioners

Lawyers and individuals with pending cases should anticipate significant delays. If you have a hearing scheduled for January 19 or subsequent days, it is advisable to contact your solicitor. Most court filings and submissions will likely be paused. However, emergency applications, such as injunctions or bail applications in capital cases, may still be addressed if skeleton staff or judicial officers are available, though this is not guaranteed.

For JUSAG Members

Members of the association should remain united and adhere to the directive of the National Executive Council. It is important to document all communications regarding the strike and to avoid any actions that could be interpreted as sabotage rather than legitimate industrial action. Staying informed through official union channels is crucial as negotiations may resume with the National Labour Commission.

For the Government and Stakeholders

To resolve the impasse, the government must move beyond verbal assurances. A concrete timeline for the release of the funds—estimated to cover eight months of differential pay for thousands of workers—is necessary. Immediate engagement with the Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to verify the payroll data and authorize the payment is the only path to reopening the courts.

FAQ

Conclusion

The declaration of an indefinite national strike by JUSAG on January 19 represents a critical breakdown in labor relations within Ghana’s judiciary. Triggered by the non-payment of eight months of salary arrears, this industrial action underscores the fragility of public sector wage agreements. While the government provided assurances that the 10% base pay arrears would be cleared by the end of the 2025 fiscal year, the failure to do so has led to an “unbearable situation” for judicial staff. The resulting paralysis of court operations threatens the maintenance of law and order. A swift resolution through the immediate payment of the owed arrears is essential to restore judicial services and uphold the rule of law in Ghana.

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily – Original Report on JUSAG Strike (Published: 2026-01-13)
• Public Services International – Reports on Ghana Public Sector Wage Disputes
• Ghana News Agency – Updates on National Labour Commission Rulings