The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has announced that, during an Emergency National Council meeting held on Monday, 30th December 2024, it resolved to commence an indefinite industrial action starting today, Thursday, 2nd January 2025.
CETAG explained that this decision follows prior strike notices issued on 26th September 2024 (ref. CET/GOV/N.S/24.9) and 23rd December 2024 (ref. CET/NC/NLC/24-12/001), which the National Labour Commission (NLC) has failed to address.
“Generally, this action has become necessary due to the employer’s continuous violation of signed agreements and roadmaps on the outstanding compulsory arbitration award issued by the NLC on 2nd May, 2023.
“Also, after 42 meetings with CETAG, the relevant stakeholders including the Office of the Vice President, Ministry of Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions (MELRP), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), have failed to fully implement the NLC’s compulsory arbitration awards”.
Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG)
The Teachers Association further stated that the employer has deliberately failed to comply with the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Compulsory Arbitration Award issued on 2nd May 2023.
This non-compliance constitutes a violation of Section 167 (2 & 3) and Section 64 (4) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
CETAG emphasized that, despite a period of 20 months, the employer has not completed the migration of teaching staff in colleges of education onto the pay structure of their respective affiliate universities.
This prolonged delay, they argued, highlights the employer’s lack of commitment to resolving the issues raised, further aggravating the concerns of teaching staff across the colleges.
According to CETAG, the government has unreasonably delayed the payment of the one-month basic salary compensation to members in 42 remaining colleges of education.
This payment was meant to recognize the all-year-round work undertaken by CETAG members in 2022, as directed by the National Labour Commission (NLC) in its ruling on 2nd May 2023.
CETAG expressed frustration over the government’s failure to fulfill this obligation, which they view as a clear disregard for the NLC’s directive.
The Association argued that this delay not only undermines the welfare of their members but also reflects a lack of commitment to addressing legitimate concerns in the education sector.
CETAG Demands Timely Action on Staff Migration Delays
Furthermore, CETAG highlighted the government’s continued delays in issuing new appointment letters for teaching staff, which are to be based on the staff audit report and the affiliate universities’ scheme of service.
These letters are a critical requirement to facilitate the migration of college of education teaching staff onto the affiliate universities’ pay structure.
CETAG noted that this migration, initially scheduled to be executed by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) in October 2024, was part of an agreement reached between the parties.
However, the government’s failure to meet this deadline has further compounded frustrations, leaving teaching staff in a state of uncertainty and undermining efforts to ensure fair and timely implementation of the agreed terms.
“The non-payment of top-up of Book and research allowance for 2023 to staff of Akrokerri College of Education.
“The NLC’s inertia in triggering section 172 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to compel our Employers to comply with the 2nd May, 2023 and 31st August, 2023 orders and directives even though the union has written several letters to the Commission for enforcement of the Compulsory Arbitration Awards as specified in section 172 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651)”.
Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG)
The Association firmly stated that, in conclusion, the National Council of CETAG unequivocally declares that its members will not return to their respective colleges to perform any official duties.
These duties include teaching, supervision of project work, and macro-teaching, among others, until every outstanding payment has been fully disbursed into their accounts.
CETAG emphasized that this decision to embark on an indefinite strike is not taken lightly but is a legitimate response to the government’s prolonged inaction and non-compliance with prior agreements.
The Association further noted that this industrial action is fully in accordance with Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which grants workers the right to withdraw their services under such circumstances.
This stance, CETAG stressed, underscores its members’ resolve to secure what is rightfully owed to them.
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