JUSAG, SSAJUG Extend Strike and Order Supreme Court Staff to Stay Home

Staff of Ghana's Judicial Service, including those working at the Supreme Court, have been told by their unions to stay away from work from Monday, November 9, as an indefinite strike continues.

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG) announced the extension in a joint statement dated Sunday, November 8, as first reported by Citi News.

The statement was signed by JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu and SSAJUG General Secretary George Taylor.

According to the two unions, they submitted their final demands on Thursday, November 5, but had not received any official reply from either the government or the management of the Judicial Service.

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They said no formal feedback had come in by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, despite talks held by union leaders with the government and Judicial Service management over several days.

The unions said those discussions were aimed at reaching an agreement that would deal with the concerns of staff while considering the constraints faced by government.

They described their revised demands as the best position they could put forward to improve the living conditions of judicial staff and to restore the delivery of justice.

The statement directed every member, including those posted to the country's highest court, to remain at home for as long as the action lasts.

"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," the statement said.

JUSAG and SSAJUG said the strike would stay in place until their demands were satisfied.

The unions offered an apology to members of the public and to institutions affected by the industrial action. However, they said the conditions under which their members work had made it impossible for them to keep providing services.

They added that members would go back to work only once their demands had been met and staff felt adequately satisfied and motivated.

The statement did not give details of the specific demands submitted to the government and Judicial Service management.