Judicial Service staff demand promotions in 2 weeks

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has requested the Judicial Service to implement the promotions of its members as stated in an assessment report within two weeks or the group “will be forced to advise itself”.

The virtual ultimatum was contained in a letter dated July 8, 2019, signed by the General Secretary of JUSAG, Mr Derrick Annan, and addressed to the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo.

According to the association, the management of the Judicial Service had failed to implement the 2018 promotion and upgrading report for staff despite many meetings with JUSAG during which the association had expressed its concerns about the delay.

Additionally, JUSAG said, the Judicial Service was also dragging its feet in commencing the 2019 promotion and upgrading exercise for staff.

“The leadership of JUSAG has noted with grave concern the undue delays at implementing the promotion and upgrading policies within the Judicial Service.

This is emphasised by the lax position of management, particularly with implementing the 2018 promotion and upgrading report,” the letter said.

Negative effect

JUSAG said the delay in the implementation of the promotion and upgrading report was having a negative effect on the welfare of its members.

“Respectfully, as you may be aware, the delays with these promotion and upgrading exercises do affect the expected income and pensions of qualified staff and as such the Association takes a serious exception to any attempt to withhold or forestall the legitimate benefit of staff,” the letter said.

The association, therefore, demanded that management of the Judicial Service took immediate steps to implement the 2018 promotion report, and to roll out activities to kickstart the 2019 promotion and upgrading exercise.

“That upon management’s failure to address the concerns on or before Friday, July 19, 2019, the association shall be forced to advice itself accordingly,” the letter added.

Strike

Since 2015, JUSAG has embarked on strike on three different occasions to press home demands for better conditions of services for its members.

The most recent one was a 10-day strike which was called off by the association on June 1, 2016.

Members of the association embarked on that particular strike due to the failure of the government to consolidate its salaries and allowances as approved by the Judicial Council in 2012.

In March 2016, the association declared a nationwide strike which was supposed to begin on April 1, 2016, but called it off after it received assurances from the government that the process for the consolidation of salaries and allowances of its members would start on Monday, April 4, 2016.

That did not happen.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@gmail.com