Despite suing them in court, government has appealed to the 12 labour unions who have been on strike since last week to return to work as negotiations on their concerns continue.

Deputy Communication Minister Edward Ato Sarpong made the appeal to the strking workers  at forum dubbed 'Government for the People Forum',  held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region Tuesday.

Mr Sarpong told the striking workers -- who are demanding among other things payment of their second tier pension -- an amicable solution to their grievances can only be secured at the negotiating table.

"Being on strike does not in any way resolve the issues; so we are appealing to the 12 labour organisations that are on strike at the moment to please get back to work", he said.

Mr Ato Sarpong's appeal, however, seems to conflict with a recent move by government.

The government last Friday sued the 12 labour groups at the High Court over the strike on grounds that the action is illegal.

The 12 unions embarking on strike are Health Service Workers Union (HSWU), the Ghana Registered Nurses’ Association (GRNA), the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Ghana Physician Assistants’ Association (GPAA), the Ghana Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) and the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GRCRA), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).

They say government's decision to manage their second-tier pension funds is in contravention of the Pension Law.