JUSSAG members decide on next line of action — Over delays in the release of subvention to Judicial Service

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG) will convene an emergency meeting today to decide on embarking on strike to protest delays in the payment of subvention to the Judicial Service.

According to the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of JUSSAG, Francis Brakwah, the subvention had been in arrears for some months in 2012 and since the beginning of this year.

“The government is adamant and is shepherding us into an arena of confusion,” he said on Joy FM Monday.

Government’s subvention is the fund from which the judicial staff are paid their car maintenance, fuel, cloth, and leave allowances.

“This year, no pesewa of our subvention has been paid,”Mr Brakwa said.

He said the association wrote to the government concerning the plight of its members.

A letter written on April 2, 2013, signed by Mr Brakwah to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning gave the government up to April 4, 2013 to pay their allowances otherwise they would go on strike.

The letter, titled: “Demand for payment of unpaid allowances and arrears”, was copied to the Chief Justice, Chief of Staff, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Chairman of National Labour Commission and the Judicial Secretary.

The letter said, “Arrears of some of our allowances for the year 2012 is [are] still outstanding and unpaid. Also, all allowances due us for the year 2013 are still unpaid.

“This development coupled with the serious economic hardship confronting our members has led to a very serious agitation and restlessness among our members.

 “As a result of the government’s failure or refusal to meet its commitment towards the judicial service relative to this all important responsibility, we have been compelled by the prevailing circumstances which is [are] absolutely beyond our control, to request you as a matter of urgency to take steps to ensure the payment of all legitimate allowances to us on or before April 4.

“We must state that failure to respond favourably to this request, the consequence should not be blamed on the leadership since we have done all in our powers to contain the rather very explosive or volatile situation to no avail.”

In response to the letter, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations called for a meeting among the association, the ministry and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

Unfortunately, Mr Brakwa said, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning did not attend the meeting but Nii Armah Ashietey, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, promised to consult with the Minster of Finance and get back to the association.

Mr Brakwa said nothing positive had been heard so far from the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations.