The National Labour Commission (NLC) has summoned the Ministry of Finance and the Judicial Service to appear before it next week over a planned industrial action by court staff over unpaid salary arrears.

In a letter dated January 14, 2026, and seen by MyJoyOnline, the Commission directed the two state institutions to provide clarity on the status of eight months’ salary arrears owed to members of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG).

The summons follows a formal notice of intended industrial action served on the NLC by JUSAG on January 13, 2026.

“The Commission formally writes to the Judicial Secretary and the Ministry of Finance to apprise the Commission on the status of the workers’ demand within three (3) working days upon receipt,” the NLC’s letter stated.

JUSAG has expressed strong dissatisfaction over what it says are unpaid salary arrears covering the period from January to August 2025. The Association had earlier notified the Commission of its plan to embark on industrial action if its demands are not met.

Acting under Section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), the NLC has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 2:00 pm at its offices in Accra.

The Commission has also advised JUSAG to halt any planned strike action and to appear for the scheduled hearing.

“With this intervention, the Association is advised to stay the intended action(s) and appear as scheduled,” the NLC’s letter concluded.

JUSAG has historically been vocal about conditions of service for judicial staff, having previously embarked on strikes in 2015 and 2023 over similar issues of allowances and salary arrears.

All parties are expected to present their cases before the Commission next week in a bid to resolve the impasse and avert a potential shutdown of the country’s courts.