Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Ofosu Asamoah, has revealed that the commission is in no way a party to the ensuing negotiation between government and UTAG.
According to him, the NLC can only invade in the matter provided both parties request their involvement in the matter.
His comments follow a court injunction on the strike being embarked on by the Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
“We at the commission are not a party to the negotiation. We facilitate the settlement of issues and settle. If the UTAG or government or both report to the commission that we are unable to settle through negotiations, then the commission will either give them a mediator or an arbitrator or hear the matter summarily. But not when the parties are still negotiating”.
Ofosu Asamoah
Mr Asamoah further noted that UTAG’s decision to take the matter to court whiles still on the negotiating table with government is “unnecessary”.
He further explained that so long as negotiation is ongoing, they are not to “engage in a strike” action.
“It was necessary to go for the order from the court to restrain the university teachers from ordering the industrial action… So, if there are letters to the commission requesting for an adjournment, from yesterday, the 5th to the 10th or thereafter, it means that they are engaging the government in their constituents. Then it means that negotiation process is still going on and therefore they cannot strike”.
Ofosu Asamoah
Government tussle with UTAG
In buttressing his point, the NLC Executive Secretary cited a paragraph of a letter from UTAG which explained the Association’s inability to schedule a meeting with them.
“While acknowledging the importance of your office… the national leadership of the Association is unfortunately unable to attend on the said date and time. Having met representatives of government, with the view of finding a solution to the present situation, it has become necessary for leadership to go and consult… and take a decision on the way forward”.
UTAG
Commenting whether government erred by dragging UTAG to court and its attendant, Mr Ofosu insisted it wasn’t undertaken in bad fate.
“The bad fate will come from the university teachers if I may say. When you go into negotiations, the law says you must negotiate in good fate. If I’m negotiating with you on salary and you say I’m going on strike, it means you either agree to my proposal or [not].
“They issued the threat already when they brought a letter earlier on that they’ll be going on strike. That is intimidating enough and that alone falls flat on the face of the law. Then the national commission leader directs them to refrain from that, they disregard the order. We invite them… they say they’re unable to come. That is why we are compelled to go the high court.
“I’m sure in the wisdom of the court, if they saw that the government was acting in bad fate, they’ll not grant the order”.
Ofosu Asamoah
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