The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to immediately withdraw its planned nationwide strike, describing the intended industrial action as illegal.
In a press release issued on March 5, 2026, the Commission said it became aware of the strike declaration through media reports. Earlier the same day, CLOGSAG had instructed its members within the Civil Service and Local Government Service to stay at home beginning Monday, March 9, until further notice.
The NLC said it invoked its authority under Section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to order the union to call off the strike, explaining that CLOGSAG had failed to comply with mandatory legal procedures required before embarking on industrial action.
“The National Labour Commission, in pursuance of its powers under Section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) directs CLOGSAG to rescind the decision as it contravenes Sections 159 and 160 of Act 651, which enjoins a party who intends to take a strike action to notify the other party and the Commission by serving seven days’ notice; and to resort to strike only upon expiration of the seven days’ notice where there is no intervention under Section 161 of Act 651,” the statement said.
The Commission emphasised that the union did not comply with these provisions.
“CLOGSAG failed and/or refused to comply with these provisions of the Law as stated above; consequently, the declaration of strike by CLOGSAG constitutes an illegality under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651),” the NLC stated.
The statement was signed by Larry-George Botchway, Head of Public Affairs at the Commission, on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
Meanwhile, the Commission has summoned the parties involved in the dispute to appear before it on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 2:00 pm as part of efforts to resolve the matter.
“The disputing parties are hereby summoned to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 11th March 2026 at 2pm. The Commission remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious relations environment within the context of the Law,” the statement added.
Earlier, CLOGSAG had directed its members to embark on strike action over what it described as the government’s failure to implement an agreed salary structure and conditions of service.
In a notice signed by its Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, the union instructed all Civil Service and Local Government Service staff to stay at home from March 9 until further notice.
“As you are aware, the National Executive Council of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana on Thursday, 19th February, 2026 gave notice of the intention of its members to proceed on an industrial action. The issues remain unresolved and as a result, all staff of the Civil Service and Local Government Service are enjoined to stay at home with effect from Monday, 9th March, 2026 until further notice,” the CLOGSAG notice read.
Addressing a news conference in Accra, Mr Bampoe Addo said the dispute dates back to 2019, noting that two Memoranda of Understanding had been signed but never implemented. According to him, the agreed salary structure was expected to take effect from January 1, 2025.
He also accused the previous administration of selectively implementing the arrangement, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved it only for staff at the Finance Ministry.
“In 2023 when we discussed and agreed on the implementation, Ken Ofori-Atta decided to implement it for some staff at the Finance Ministry, leaving the rest of all civil servants in a bad situation, and that is very bad,” he said.
The union insists it will only suspend the strike if the government fully honours the agreement.
“The only thing that can let us rescind this decision is for government to implement the agreement,” Mr Bampoe Addo stated.
If carried out, the strike could significantly disrupt administrative operations across government ministries, departments, and agencies nationwide, as CLOGSAG represents a large section of the public sector workforce.
Earlier, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, appealed to the union to reconsider the action, saying the planned strike had caught the government by surprise.
He said discussions had already been held with the Finance Minister and urged CLOGSAG members to trust the government’s commitment to resolving their concerns.
The Commission’s directive now places the union in a difficult position — either comply with the order and attend the scheduled hearing or proceed with the strike in defiance of the NLC.
