The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has called on its local union and staff to immediately call off a sit-down strike and return to the negotiation table, assuring management remains committed to resolving the ongoing salary impasse.
In a press statement, the Board and Management said it had noted media reports of the dispute that led to industrial action.
“Management remains fully committed to resolving the issues at stake and is calling on the local Union and all staff to call off their sit-down strike and return to the negotiation table,” the statement said.
Management narrated in the statement that it has been cooperative and fully committed to the Union’s negotiation process.
“For 2026, the local Union requested a 17% salary increase for all Staff, and Management granted 12%. Management’s decision to grant the 12% stems from notices from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to the NLA regarding a backlog of unpaid taxes on staff salaries over a six-year period (2016 – 2022), due to an incorrect income tax application,” it said.
The Authority explained that the lower figure followed notices from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over a backlog of unpaid income taxes on staff salaries covering 2016 to 2022, caused by an incorrect tax application.
After meetings with the GRA, the Board and Management agreed to settle the arrears, amounting to more than five million Ghana cedis, at no cost to staff.
The Authority also began applying the correct tax rates going forward which reduced employees’ net pay and prompted the union to seek a 17 per cent rise as a cushion.
Management continued that during budgetary approvals, the Board said it could support only a 10 per cent increase because of the tax settlement and other constraints.
“Management then secured an additional two percentage points, bringing the offer to 12 per cent [but] the union rejected the proposal, declared a deadlock and referred the matter to the National Labour Commission (NLC),” the statement said further.
This promoted the NLA to write to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on 11 February 2026 seeking guidance.
“The FWSC’s response dated 11th June advised the Authority to increase salaries by 8%, based on the Authority’s financial strength,” the statement continued.
The aggrived local union on Friday, 21 August, 2026 the served notice of its intention to embark on a sit-down strike and demonstration on Monday, 24 August, 2026.
Management stated that it is actively engaging the NLC for an amicable resolution through arbitration.
It further appealed to the union and staff to abandon the demonstration and resume talks.
“Management wishes to assure its cherished patrons, Lotto Marketing Companies, Private Lotto Operators (PLOs), third-party collaborators, and all stakeholders that it remains fully committed to fulfilling its mandate to raise revenue for national development.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
