Progress has been made after meeting JUSAG - Minister

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, on Monday said some progress has been made following government’s consultation with the leadership of Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and Judicial Council.

According to him there “would be a major definite public announcement on the future or otherwise of the strike embarked by members of JUSAG,” on Tuesday May 31”.

Mr Iddrisu, who spoke to the media after a meeting with the leadership of JUSAG at the Ministry, said government is “deeply concerned about the ongoing strike and withdrawal of services, which has the potential to affect the delivery and the administration of justice in the country”.

He announced that government negotiation team led by Deputy Minister of Labour Relations, Baba Jamal and Mr Ato Forson, Deputy Minister of Finance would hold consultations on the referral of the matter to government and its negotiation team.

”By tomorrow we would know where we stand. The pronouncement will come from JUSAG. We do not want the administration to suffer more,” the Minister said.

He said: “On Wednesday, the negotiation team would commence its business and we would look at what government can do and what it cannot do.”

On the issue of the National Labour Commission dragging JUSAG to court said the commission is independent and urged the media to expect some pronouncements from the body.

He said he is satisfied with the developments at the meeting adding: “We want to ensure that government institution work and work effectively.”

He said embarking on strike for a number of days affect productivity and that should not be accepted at all.

When the media engaged Mr Alex Nartey, President of JUSAG, he said the meeting with the Ministry was in conclusive.

On May 19 the National Executive Council of JUSAG directed members to withdraw their services with effect from Friday, May 20, until the Government implements the Judicial Council’s approved consolidated salaries.

JUSAG said the Government has not fulfilled its assurances after it had appealed to JUSAG on April 1, to call off the nationwide strike.