The ongoing strike by members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has taken a new turn as the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has frozen their August salaries.
The move follows a directive by the Ministry of Education to freeze the salaries of the striking tutors for the month of August.
The President of CETAG, Prince Obeng-Himah, confirmed the story to the Daily Graphic, stating that members of the association were unable to withdraw their August salaries from their respective banks.
READ MORE: Ministry of Education to Freeze Salaries of CETAG Members
Mr Obeng-Himah described the action as unlawful, stating that it deprived members of their economic rights as workers in the country.
He added that the National Labour Commission (NLC) had not pronounced the industrial action of CETAG as illegal, as they had followed due process.
Therefore, it was not in the place of the Ministry of Education to arrogate to itself the powers of the NLC to make pronouncements or determination on the legitimacy or otherwise of strikes.
Mr Obeng-Himah maintained that the strike embarked upon by members of CETAG was legitimate.
SEE ALSO: CETAG to Extend Strike Action to November if August Salaries are Withheld
He said the matter would be dealt with step by step and that CETAG would go to the NLC tomorrow to listen to what the commission would say on the stalemate.
If the NLC’s ruling is not satisfactory, they are open to several options, including going to the Appeals Court or Supreme Court.
So, they are determined to follow through to ensure that justice is served to tutors of the colleges of education.
Mr Obeng-Himah also said the association had reported the issue in writing to the NLC and therefore expected the commission to address it.
Apart from the arrears and conditions of service, he said the association also expected the NLC’s directive to the government some months ago to be complied with.
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He added that the Ministry of Education needs the teachers and the teachers also need the ministry, so there should not be a situation like somebody is showing someone where power lies.