General News of Wednesday, 14 July 2004

Source: Times

Civil Servants Go oTCourt Over deductions

Over 1,000 civil servants have filed a suit at an Accra High Court against the Civil Servants Association (CSA) and two state departments for their alleged involvement in the continued unlawful deduction of one per cent of Civil Servant?s monthly salaries.

The departments are those of the Attorney General and the Accountant General.

The plaintiffs are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the Accountant General?s Department from making any further deductions from their salaries, and a second perpetual injunction restraining the CSA from accepting, receiving or disbursing such deductions.

They are also seeking a court order, directed at the CSA executive requiring it to account for any money it has received since 1993 by way of dues or salary deduction from its members, plus costs.

Mr. Edward Kumi of Accra, who swore the affidavit on behalf of all the aggrieved Civil Servants, claims that CSA, whose membership comprises all civil servants in Ghana, was floated as a company limited by guarantee, with objectives that include securing better conditions of service for its members and protecting their interest.