NLA appeals to striking workers to return to negotiation table

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has appealed to its local union and staff to call off their sit-down strike and return to the negotiation table over an ongoing salary dispute.

According to a press statement issued on Monday, August 24, 2026, the NLA said the strike followed a disagreement over salary negotiations for 2026.

“Management remains fully committed to resolving the issues at stake,” the statement said.

It added that management was calling on the union and staff “to call off their sit-down strike and return to the negotiation table.”

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According to the NLA, the local union initially requested a 17% salary increase for all staff, while management offered a 12% increase.

The Authority, however, explained that its decision was influenced by a backlog of unpaid taxes on staff salaries covering the period from 2016 to 2022.

It said the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had notified the NLA of an incorrect application of income tax, resulting in tax arrears of more than GH¢5 million.

The NLA said its Board and Management reached an agreement with the GRA to pay the outstanding taxes without passing the cost on to staff.

“After several meetings with the GRA, the Board and Management entered an arrangement to pay the tax arrears totaling over five million Ghana cedis at no cost to staff,” the statement said.

The Authority further said the correction of the tax system affected workers’ take-home pay, prompting the union to demand a 17% salary increase to cushion staff.

Meanwhile, the NLA Board initially approved a 10% salary increase due to the financial burden of absorbing the tax arrears and other budgetary constraints.

Management said it subsequently pushed for an additional 2%, bringing the proposed increase to 12%.

However, the union rejected the offer, declared a deadlock in the negotiations and referred the matter to the National Labour Commission (NLC).

The NLA also disclosed that it had earlier sought guidance from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on February 11, 2026.

It said the Commission, in its response dated June 11, advised the Authority to consider an 8% salary increase based on its financial position.

The NLA said it was now engaging the National Labour Commission to resolve the matter through arbitration.

“Management is actively engaging the National Labour Commission for an amicable resolution,” the statement said.

ANAS/MA

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