Ghana’s judicial system is likely to grind to a halt again following a decision by staff of the service to embark on industrial action over government’s delay in addressing their salary concerns.
The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG) in a statement gave government till May 18, 2016 to address their concerns or face their wrath.
“Our rank and file have been on the brink of resorting to the suspended strike, if nothing concrete is communicated to us on or before 18th May, 2016,” a letter addressed to the Minister of Employment stated.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ZhxmwrWyW5bTrTYeEQGh23isMnHn0fRJ”]JUSSAG on 30th April embarked on strike over government delays in implementing a new salary structure approved for them by the Judicial Council many months ago.
They later suspended the strike after receiving some assurances from government.
The letter signed by General Secretary of JUSSAG, Derrick Annan, said if government does not fast track their concerns, they will be left with no option than to lay down their tools.
The letter said government assured them that a Presidential Committee set up to look into the issue “will offer immediate solutions to our plight.”
“With respect to the Office of the President, we ceded to meet the Presidential Committee, although in our opinion the Judicial Council was the appropriate body to meet the said committee. Recently, we are reliably informed that a letter has referred our meeting with the Presidential Committee to the Judicial Council.”
JUSSAG insisted that they have fulfilled their part of the bargain hence they “consider this current position of government as an immediate detour to delay the already began processes of the Presidential Committee. The last committee siting had received specific answers regarding the presidential approval of the lower bench salaries, to which the Association is drawing analysis and linkages.”
The Association in the letter complained bitterly about the long delays and charged government speed up the process or they will advise themselves.
–
By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin