NLA urges local union to halt strike, return to negotiation table over pay dispute

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has urged its local staff union and workforce to cease their sit-down strike and demonstration, calling for negotiations to resolve the ongoing wage dispute. The impasse intensified after staff initiated a strike on August 24, 2026. In a press release signed by the board and management, the Authority reiterated its dedication to resolving the issue amicably while providing details on the financial factors that shaped their salary offer.

Management explained that while the local union sought a 17% salary raise for 2026, the Authority agreed to a 12% increase, citing the resolution of tax arrears as the reason for the lower offer. Unpaid taxes on staff salaries from 2016 to 2022, totaling over five million Ghana cedis, were the result of an incorrect tax application.

Management and the board resolved to settle these tax arrears without further cost to the staff. However, this adjustment led to a reduction in net take-home salaries, prompting the Union to request a 17% increment to offset the shortfall. Due to budgetary limitations and other constraints, the initial offer was limited to a 10% salary increase, with an additional 2% brought the final offer to 12%.

The Union rejected this offer and declared a deadlock, forwarding the matter to the National Labour Commission (NLC) for resolution. The Authority had previously sought guidance from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on February 11, 2026, which advised a 8% salary increase based on the Authority's current financial capacity, which was 4 percentage points less than management's proposed 12% raise.

Management affirmed their ongoing engagement with the National Labour Commission (NLC) to achieve an amicable resolution through formal arbitration.