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The Public Services Workers Union (PSWU), TUC (Ghana), National Identification Authority (NIA) Division, Divisional Executive Council has decided overwhelmingly to begin an indefinite industrial action on June 10, 2024.
At a council meeting in Kumasi on May 23, 2024, this decision was taken.
Prior to this, the union had postponed its March 24, 2024, strike due to the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations’ engagement.
The administration of the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the government, represented by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), had decided to negotiate and implement improved terms of service for NIA employees.
The government, according to the union, hasn’t acted in good faith during the negotiating process.
“The government has not shown good faith in the negotiation process,” The Council Chairman, Francis Bangfudeme Nyuzaghl, and Council Secretary Kwabena Adu Kyeremeh signed the statement together.
Consequently, on June 10, 2024, all NIA district offices, regional offices, headquarters, and premium centers would no longer receive services from PSWU members.
The strike is motivated by a number of important matters, including “the Government of Ghana.” Section 2(v) of the Rules of Engagement’s Pre-Negotiation requirement has been flagrantly disregarded by the Ministry of Finance, the National Identification Authority, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, together with its allies.
The Rules of Engagement, Section 2(v), requires the parties to establish deadlines for the negotiations. This requirement has not been fulfilled months after commencing the negotiation. Parties to the negotiation (unions) do not know when next a meeting would be called after the last meeting was adjourned indefinitely.”
In addition, the Government team’s excessively long delays during the negotiation process, the government’s concessions and hesitation to grant the NIA, institution-specific allowances, and the management’s failure to carry out the approved service plan for NIA staff members after it was announced on March 22, 2024.
“Until the government and management respect the policy framework and labor laws, we will not return to our offices” the statement added.
The union highlighted that their conditions of service must become a priority, and all administrative concerns must be rectified, including the conclusion and implementation of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the approved scheme of service.
The purpose of this strike is to bring attention to the financial and economic struggles that NIA employees endure, as well as to make sure that their contributions to the digitalization of Ghana’s economy are fairly acknowledged and compensated.
For the benefit of the union as a whole, all regional offices have been instructed to notify members and make sure that this direction is strictly followed.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
