The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has embarked on a nationwide strike, effective Friday, September 20, 2024. This industrial action follows the government’s failure to address the union’s demands for improved working conditions.
TEWU’s decision to strike comes after numerous protests and negotiations with the government yielded no results. The union cited the non-implementation of previously agreed-upon conditions, including Vehicle Maintenance and Off-Campus allowances.
Despite an approval letter from the Ministry of Finance dated August 2, 2024, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has failed to implement these allowances for TEWU members. This delay has exacerbated tensions between the union and the government.
Furthermore, TEWU argued that the government has neglected to recalculate and pay interest accrued from delayed Tier Two deductions to the union’s scheme from January 2010 to 2016. This oversight has resulted in significant financial losses for the union.
The government also owes eight months’ worth of Tier Two deductions, which were deducted from employees’ salaries but not remitted to the union’s scheme for effective management. TEWU members are understandably frustrated with this lack of accountability.
The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) has been on strike since Monday, September 16, 2024, citing similar grievances. The SSA-UoG’s strike has already affected public universities across Ghana.
TEWU has joined forces with the SSA-UoG, urging its members to participate in the industrial action. The strike is expected to disrupt academic activities nationwide, affecting thousands of students.
The union has called on the government to address these outstanding issues to ensure a dignified retirement for its members and prevent disruptions to the academic calendar. TEWU’s demands are centered on securing better working conditions and fair compensation.
The government’s inaction has led to growing discontent among educational workers. TEWU’s strike underscores the need for urgent attention to the sector’s challenges and the importance of honoring agreements.
As the strike continues, concerns mount about the impact on Ghana’s education system. The government must engage with TEWU and SSA-UoG to resolve these issues and prevent long-term consequences for students and educators alike.
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