The Senior Staff Association of the Universities of Ghana is demanding the payment of the outstanding Tier-2 pension contributions of its retired members.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Zakariah Mohammed, it extolled the government for its timely intervention in addressing its grievances.

It noted that, their request is in compliance with section “99 (1) of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 615).

“As a matter of urgency, we expect the Government to pay the outstanding Tier-2 contributions of our retired colleagues as well as announce a financial package for senior staff of public Universities.

“While commending the Hon. Minister of Education; the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Tertiary Education; and the Executive Secretary of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for the diverse roles they played, culminating in the issuance of the Collective Bargaining Certificate to our Union, we call on same, and by extension Government, to expedite action on our grievances.”

Speaking in an interview however, the National Chairman of the Senior Staff Association- Universities of Ghana, Zacharia Mohammed, stated that, although government was able to pay its pension contribution from 2017-2020, there was still some outstanding arrears.

“The issue is that from 2010 to 2016, a lot of the members have gone on retirement but have not received their contributions so, we expect government to do the needful”.

The Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana had earlier expressed this discontentment over stalled negotiation with government.

Members of the Universities of Ghana Senior Staff Association in October, threatened to strike over government’s failure to address its labour issues.

Addressing the media in Accra on the matter then, the outgone National Chairman of the Association, Abdul-Majeed Yussif, said the government has shown bad faith in their ongoing negotiations concerning their condition of service.

According to him, as a matter of concern to the Association, is the migration of the payroll of public universities onto the controller and accountant general’s payroll system.

“We reiterate our call to government to stop the subtle moves to do so. Instead, we strongly advocate for special dispensation akin to that granted to the security services and other public institutions with respect to salary administration.”

Further revealing the gravitas of the situation, the National Chairman of the Association explained the importance of what he deemed the “unfavorable policies responsible for the deteriorating conditions of its members”.

He also highlighted on the challenges inherent in the Association which includes the lack of study leave with pay, medical care for staff and families among others, of which a move to rectify the situation has not yielded any result.

Mr. Yussif also noted that the National Labour Commission was aware of its strike ultimatum.

“All attempts by the national leadership to get the government to address the above state concerns have proved futile.

For this reason, he urged “all members of the senior staff association, Universities of Ghana are required to lay down their tools and hoist red flags across all campuses” .