The nationwide strikes by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) have been halted.
On September 20, TEWU joined other unions in protesting the government’s inaction on matters such vehicle maintenance, off-campus allowances, and delayed Tier 2 pension contributions. This led to the strikes that shut down numerous colleges.
Despite having previously reached an agreement with the government, GAUA also started a strike on September 18 over unpaid allowances.
Speaking to JoyNews, GAUA’s National President, Michael Awusu Ansah, warned that if their demands are not met within three weeks, they may resume the industrial action.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has today reviewed the development and I have approved the suspension of our strike with effect from Monday.
“Within three weeks, a technical team should begin work on the concerns reached so that the proper people that have the mandate to decide for the government are at the table so that issues can be addressed and resolutions meet as soon as possible,” he said.
Likewise, Salamatu Braimah, National Chair of TEWU, stressed that the government needs to address its unresolved issues or risk a new strike.
“Currently, what is outstanding is nine months of our tier 2 contribution. That is from January 2024 to September 2024. And so we are giving government by the close of this month. If those monies are not paid to our fund manager to invest then we shall resume the strike,” she said.
Other unions, like the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), are still on strike over a variety of demands, even though TEWU and GAUA have called off their strikes in the hopes that the government will address their concerns.
The unions’ complaints will be addressed, according to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s commitment.
Labour experts, however, are cautioning that the current strikes are seriously harming the educational system and are pleading with the government to move quickly.
Source: Adomonline