The Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU) of Ghana has threatened a nationwide strike following the withdrawal of the car maintenance allowance for junior staff members.
The directive has sparked outrage among TEWU members, who consider the move a breach of their conditions of service.
Local Chairman of TEWU at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Charles Arthur has expressed disappointment over the directive, stating that it contradicts previous agreements reached with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Ministry of Finance.
In August 2024, TEWU, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders reached an agreement on the payment of a vehicle maintenance allowance for junior staff at tertiary institutions. The purpose of this allowance was to support junior staff members who use their personal vehicles for official duties.
However, in a recent directive, GTEC announced the withdrawal of the allowance as part of austerity measures aimed at reducing the public sector wage bill. The decision has raised concerns over the eligibility criteria for the allowance and the financial burden it will place on junior staff members.
TEWU Reacts: A Breach of Contract
TEWU has described the withdrawal of the allowance as a direct violation of prior agreements. Mr. Charles Arthur, speaking on behalf of the union, criticized GTEC vehemently, stating;
“Our concern now is that the letter GTEC has written is in bad faith because it’s contrary to the directives of the Labour Commission. The car maintenance allowance is our entitlement. It’s not a wholesale thing. It is only when you have applied for it and gone through the procedure that you become eligible to receive payment.’’
“It is unfortunate that something we agreed upon with Fair Wages and Labour, and GTEC last year, is now being withdrawn. Some universities were applying it, others were not. It was last year that we insisted that it must be applicable to every university. There was an agreement to that effect with the Labour Fair Wages [Commission] and GTEC. The Ministry of Finance even issued an approval letter for implementation.”
Mr. Charles Arthur Local Chairman of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU), KNUST
Mr. Arthur emphasized that the allowance was not granted to all junior staff members but only those who met specific eligibility criteria.
“I am saying that we have about 500 to 600 junior staff, but only 43 are eligible for it. So, it is not a wholesale issue.”
Mr. Charles Arthur Local Chairman of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU), KNUST
TEWU argued that withdrawing the allowance will disproportionately affect junior staff members, many of whom already struggle with low salaries.
“We have instances where people have commercial vehicles that they use for their duties, yet they are not entitled to the allowance. Again, we also have people who use cars that are not in their names, and because of that, they cannot make claims. The policy is structured in a way that ensures only qualified individuals benefit from it.’’
Mr. Charles Arthur Local Chairman of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU), KNUST
The union maintains that it will not allow the government to revoke the allowance, as it is a fundamental part of their conditions of service.
Government Given an Ultimatum
TEWU has given the government an ultimatum to rescind its directive, warning that failure to do so will lead to a complete withdrawal of services by union members.
“We have written to all stakeholders, including the Chief of Staff, Minister of Labour, Minister of Education, GTEC, Vice Chancellors, and the Labour Commission. We are making it clear that we are satisfying the requirements of Section 159 of the Labour Act, which talks about the intention to strike or lockout.’’
“If nothing changes this month [February 2025], we will lay down our tools because we have met all the requirements to go on strike. We will go on strike.’’
Mr. Charles Arthur Local Chairman of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU), KNUST
The withdrawal of the vehicle maintenance allowance has sparked strong opposition from TEWU, with the union accusing the government of reneging on a legally binding agreement.
TEWU has vowed to take industrial action if the directive is not reversed, setting the stage for a potential nationwide strike that could disrupt operations in tertiary institutions across the country.
The government is yet to respond to TEWU’s demands, but the growing tensions highlight the broader challenges of balancing public sector wage reforms with the financial well-being of workers. Whether the government will heed TEWU’s warning and reinstate the allowance remains to be seen.
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