The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) has called on government to come clear with regards to the payment of the Cost Of Living Allowance to its members.

In a statement directed to government, TEWU sent “its strongest” signal to government to immediately pay Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), to members without fail.

TEWU explained that its members have reached their limit in the face of the excruciating economic conditions in the country and cannot wait any longer.

“TEWU of TUC-Ghana, calls on government to come clear on the payment of cost of living Allowance (COLA) to cushion members against the excruciating economic situation in the country.

“Failure to respond positively to this call, the country’s educational sector stand to suffer and that will have a damming effect on the final years of the Senior High Schools in their preparations towards final examinations.”
TEWU

The leadership of TEWU stated that it wants to put it on record that it has made frantic appeals to government since September 2021. It indicated that earlier this year and even before the 2022 May Day national celebrations, it appealed to government that the skyrocketing prices of goods and services call for the authorities to pay COLA to workers, to enable them to cope with the challenging economic conditions.

“Unfortunately, these appeals have not received any positive response, not even an acknowledgement of the Union appeals by government, especially the sector minister, that is, the Minister for Employment and Labor Relations.

“Again, at the 2022 National May Day parade, at the Black Star Square, in Accra, the Secretary General of TUC (GH), Brother Anthony Yaw Baah, reiterated the issue of COLA to the President and his team present, but still, there is deafening silence from the corridors of power.”
TEWU

TEWU members cannot be subjected to such treatment

As leaders of Public Sector workers, TEWU intimated that it cannot sit down for its members to be subjected to the treatment of no action from government to support them through COLA to deal with the worsening economic situation.

In view of this, TEWU noted that, by the end of this month, if no response is heard from government, members of the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union, TEWU of TUC will have no other option than to advice its members to lay down their tools, “until COLA hits the account of our cherished members”.

“The oil that helps the wheel of the economy to rotate is the workers’ sweat, so it is painful. Why this treatment to workers by government, with the complete silence on the various appeals for the authorities to pay workers COLA?”
TEWU

TEWU therefore cautioned government that the earlier it responds positively to this COLA demand, the better it will be for the country in the education sector. “Please government pay workers COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE (COLA), to prevent any turbulence on the labor front, because living conditions are deteriorating by the day.”