The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has appealed to the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to suspend its nationwide strike and return to the negotiating table, assuring the union that the government remains committed to resolving its concerns.
In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Pelpuo said he has engaged both the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and CLOGSAG leadership to better understand the union’s demands. He added that discussions with Cassiel Ato Forson have resulted in a firm commitment to address the matter.
“I don’t want a situation where it’s like someone carrying a log behind you intending to hit you—forcing you to make snap decisions under pressure,” he explained, describing the kind of tense negotiations he hopes to avoid.
The minister acknowledged that communication between the National Labour Commission, the FWSC, and CLOGSAG broke down ahead of the strike, noting that both institutions were unable to engage the union before the industrial action began.
“I wasn’t aware of the strike at that exact moment,” he admitted.
CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, confirmed that a one-hour meeting with the FWSC on March 9 ended without an agreement. He added that the union’s National Executive Council has not yet called off the strike, maintaining that there is still no clear roadmap for resolving the issues at the heart of the dispute.
Despite this, Mr. Pelpuo urged the union to trust the government’s assurances and suspend the strike while negotiations continue.
“Strikes should be a last resort,” he said, emphasizing that the government is ready to listen and work with labour unions to address their concerns.
He also warned that prolonged industrial action could have wider consequences for the country and the workers themselves.
“All of us are going to suffer,” the minister cautioned.
The ongoing strike by CLOGSAG has disrupted operations across several government offices nationwide, raising concerns about the impact of labour disputes on public service delivery.