University teachers declared a strike on 1 August after a
meeting between the leaders of UTAG and the Fair Wages and Salaries
Commission to discuss arrears ended inconclusively.
The UTAG embarked on industrial action earlier this year, along
with teachers, doctors and pharmacists, demanding, among other things,
that a 2010 wage policy be implemented in full, but they suspended
action after government promises to resolve the teachers' grievances.
The risks for the government are that this action could spread across
the country's education system at the secondary and primary tiers as
well.
Deputy Information and Media Relations Minister Murtala
Muhammed told journalists that he was surprised the lecturers had
declared a strike because the government has released GH¢25
million and the lecturers would start receiving their payment
from the end of this week.
An online statement issued on 2 August from the office of
President John Mahama said, “I wish to take the opportunity to appeal
to university teachers who, I am told, have just commenced a
strike based on some issues that I believe have been
resolved.
“I will appeal to them not to continue with the strike, we have
to ensure that the system goes on undisturbed.''
The lecturers are demanding full payment of their market
premium arrears and allowances which have been outstanding for a year
following Ghana's migration to the Single Spine Salary
Structure (SSSS).
UTAG president, Dr Anthony Simmons, said on Friday 2 August
that the strike would continue until the government has dealt with all
its concerns.
“If the money hits the accounts, definitely we will take a
decision, but until that is done, we still stand by the strike,'' he
said.
The Federation of University Senior Staff Association of Ghana
(FUSSAG) has also announced its intention to withdraw services over the
government's failure to settle their annual base pay.
The Deputy Education Minister said that FUSSAG members should
expect to be reimbursed within the next couple of weeks.
For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.
© 2013 Menas Associates
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