The National Labour Commission (NLC) has ordered the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to immediately cancel its planned nationwide strike, declaring the intended industrial action unlawful.

In a statement issued on March 5, 2026, the Commission said it learned of the strike through media reports after the union directed its members in the Civil Service and Local Government Service to stay at home from Monday, March 9, until further notice.

The NLC said the directive to halt the strike was issued under Section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), noting that CLOGSAG had not fulfilled the legal procedures required before declaring 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 stressed that the union had failed to comply with the law.

“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, on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Secretary.

As part of efforts to address the dispute, the Commission has summoned the parties to appear before it on March 11 at 2:00 pm.

“The disputing parties are hereby summoned to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 2 pm. The Commission remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious relations environment within the context of the Law,” the statement added.

CLOGSAG, however, maintains that its decision to strike stems from the government’s failure to implement an agreed salary structure and conditions of service.

In a notice signed by Executive Secretary Isaac Bampoe Addo, the union directed members to remain 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, February 19, 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.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Bampoe Addo said the dispute dates back to 2019, with two Memoranda of Understanding signed but yet to be implemented. He said the salary structure was expected to take effect from January 1, 2025.

He further accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of selectively implementing the arrangement for staff of 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.

CLOGSAG insists the strike will only be suspended if the government fully implements the agreement.

“The only thing that can let us rescind this decision is for the government to implement the agreement,” Mr Bampoe Addo stated.

The planned strike could disrupt operations across ministries, departments and agencies nationwide if it proceeds.

Earlier, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo urged the union to reconsider the action, noting that the government had been taken by surprise by the announcement.

With the NLC’s directive now in place, the union must decide whether to comply with the Commission’s order or proceed with the strike ahead of the scheduled hearing.