The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has filed a petition with the National Labour Commission (NLC) seeking to compel members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG) to end their ongoing strike.
The FWSC described the strike as being in “bad faith” and argued that dialogue is necessary to address any outstanding grievances.
FWSC CEO, Mr. Ben Arthur, expressed surprise at the strike during a press conference in Accra. He revealed that the commission had sent numerous invitations to CETAG for discussions, but the tutors had failed to attend.
ALSO READ: CETAG Declares Indefinite Strike
The strike stemmed from several issues, including the nonpayment of a one-month basic allowance after tutors forfeited their leave days.
Mr. Arthur stated that the government had already begun the process of paying the outstanding allowance, adding that it was even considering raising the funds internally.
“We were very expectant that we could agree with PRINCOF (Principals of Colleges of Education) to raise money internally to be able to make the payment, but we also found out that they could not. So, central government decided to pay for it. Eventually, all those who qualified for it, PRINCOF and GTEC and we have been supplied with the details and submitted to finance (Ministry of Finance) for action,” Mr Arthur added
CETAG also protested the non-payment of salaries for their President, Prince Obeng-Himah, and other members. However, Mr. Arthur countered that this was a matter for individual concerns and not grounds for a nationwide strike.
“This is only one person. So that you and others have not been paid, for that reason all the tutors should go on strike, is most unfair” he said.
The association further voiced frustration over the government’s failure to pay them salaries equivalent to university lecturers, despite the National Labour Commission directive.
Mr. Arthur explained that the process of migrating tutors to receive the same conditions of service as lecturers had been finalized.
SEE ALSO: ECG and GRIDCo Announce 3-Week Power Outages Due to Gas challenge from Nigeria
He emphasized that accepting the conditions of service for lecturers is a prerequisite for receiving the same benefits.
Both Mr. Arthur and Professor Samuel Awinkene Atintono, President of PRINCOF, have urged the striking tutors to return to classrooms and engage in further dialogue.
“We are calling on them to go to the classroom to go and teach. This strike is out of bad faith,” Mr Arthur asserted.