Labour expert Austin Gamey says, although it may be premature to declare the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) strike illegal, the action appears to fall outside the procedures outlined in Ghana’s labour laws.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, March 5, Mr. Gamey has urged the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to ensure its actions remain within the confines of the law as it pursues its demands.
His comments follow the association’s decision to declare a nationwide strike.
The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has directed all its members across the Civil Service and Local Government Service to stay at home beginning Monday, March 9, 2026, until further notice.
Mr. Gamey said it would be inappropriate to immediately describe the association’s strike as illegal, noting that only a court of law has the authority to make such a determination.
“It could be wrong for me to join the bandwagon and say they are committing illegality,” he said. “The only body that can declare something illegal is the law court. We have a labour court in Ghana.”
However, he maintained that the association’s current approach appears to fall outside the framework provided by the law for resolving industrial disputes.
“For now, I think what they are doing is outside the confines of the law, and someone may rightly say that it is illegal,” he added.
Mr. Gamey explained that the National Labour Commission (NLC) has the authority to intervene in such matters and ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
According to him, under Section 138 of the Labour Act, the Commission has the power to summon the parties involved in the dispute and direct them to halt any action that may escalate tensions.
“The National Labour Commission is expected to be proactive. They have the right to summon CLOGSAG even as we speak, ask them to stop what they intend to do, and subsequently invite the relevant ministries and heads of departments to address the issue,” he said.
He added that officials such as the Head of the Civil Service and other relevant authorities should formally report the matter to the Commission to enable it take the necessary steps.
Mr. Gamey noted that once the matter is before the Commission, it can invite key stakeholders, including the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, to deliberate on the concerns raised by the union.
He said the Commission also has several dispute resolution options available, including appointing a mediator or arbitrator if both parties agree.
“If they do not have an immediate solution, they can appoint someone to mediate the matter or move to arbitration,” he explained.
Mr. Gamey warned that failure to resolve labour disputes through the appropriate legal channels could damage Ghana’s reputation as a stable destination for investment.
“A situation like this sends the wrong signal to outside investors. It suggests that we do not have the means to resolve our labour differences, and that is not good for the country,” he said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
