Government has described the strike action by members of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG) as illegal and not in consonance with the labour law.

Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu said government is in negotiations with the association and wondered why they would embark on a strike when the process is ongoing.

“We have engaged the leadership of JUSSAG together with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). It is a process which we started and it takes time. I am therefore surprised they have declared this illegal strike”, he told Accra-based Joy fm.

He however appealed to JUSSAG to call off the strike and return to the negotiating table to enable both parties reach a compromise.

It will be recalled that JUSSAG on Thursday declared a strike accusing government over its failure to implement the consolidation of salaries and allowances for its members.

According to JUSSAG, it can no longer deal with the government lackadaisical attitude towards their demands and is therefore withdrawing its services till the matter is resolved.

They embarked on a similar strike in April which lasted for a day and was called off after assurances from the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations to ensure the quick implementation of their concerns.

JUSSAG indicated that the Judicial Council, after reviewing the conditions of service of staff of the Judicial Service, concluded in 2015 that the allowances and salaries of the staff should be consolidated.

After a painstaking period of consideration, the Judicial Council forwarded the approved salaries in June 2015 to the government for implementation.

However, after over a year, the government is yet to implement the approved salaries.