The National Labour Commission (NLC) has revealed that if the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) continues its strike action, the commission would be forced to take legal action.
CETAG members from all 46 training colleges have been on strike since August 1, citing the government’s failure to adhere to the NLC’s Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated conditions of service since May 2, 2023. The agreed-upon conversations have yet to be carried out, resulting in the ongoing impasse, despite numerous notifications being given to the Ministry of Finance.
However, Ofosu Asamoah, the NLC’s Executive Secretary, stated that if the strike persisted, the commission would file a lawsuit. He explained that this would be done to force CETAG members back into the classroom. He also warned them that if they persisted in their strike, the government might withhold their salaries.
“The commission will have to resort to the court to compel them to go back to the classroom if they still proceed on the strike. And their employer will also have the right to punish them for proceeding on this illegal strike.
“The option available to the employer is that when people engage in an illegal strike, you can withhold their salary and the leaders of CETAG could also be made to pay for any damage or losses that their people engage in. And that could also lead to loss of life.”
Ofosu Asamoah
Following the group’s two-week strike, the CETAG leadership announced that it will honor a meeting with the NLC on Wednesday, August 16. Prince Obeng Himah, the President of CETAG, promised to approach the meeting with an open mind.
Additionally, Gifty Twum Ampofo, the deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has fervently urged CETAG to end their current strike action and enter into fruitful negotiations with the government to allay their grievances.
Deputy Education Minister Gifty Twum Ampofo addressed the matter and assured CETAG members that the Sector Minister was assiduously trying to answer their legitimate complaints.
CETAG To Get Negotiated Conditions Of Service By August 31
The National President of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), Prof. Samuel Atintono, has guaranteed that the government will abide by the demands of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) by August 31.
According to Prof. Samuel Atintono, procedures are being followed to resolve their concerns. “Government has accepted, we are working through the process and we are hoping that by August ending, they should get it,” he said.
Nonetheless, Prof. Atintono noted that it is worrying that CETAG is still on strike. He pointed out that students are suffering as the strike drags on and academic work is suspended. Therefore, he requested that CETAG put the strike on hold.
He also stated that he hoped the indefinite strike will be called off sooner, so that they will not be affected by the Ministry of Education’s order to report tutors’ absence at work, prior to the salary validation in August.
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