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The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) is on strike, and the minority in parliament has urged the government to stop using threats instead of working with them to address their issues.
Following their industrial action to seek improved working conditions, teachers went on strike in August, and the administration tried to freeze their salaries.
According to Peter Nortsu Kotoi, the ranking member of the Parliament’s Education Committee, the threats are unnecessary in an interview with Starr FM monitored by Ghanatodayonline.com.
“The battle lines that has been drawn is unnecessary. I remember very well the Education Commitee intervened in this matter some time ago and we were given the firm assurance by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Employment and Labour Relationship that there’s a roadmap that government was to follow and we pleaded with CETAG members to go back to work and they did. But government slept on the obligation, so if you have slept on your obligation and the situation has arisen now, I think the best thing is to engage positively and see how best you can meet the striking teachers halfway or fully so that work can resume. But if the Ministry of Education is adopting this measure I don’t think they will find a solution to this matter.
“I remember during President Kufuor’s tenure, a similar thing happened and NAGRAT members went on strike, one month salary was not paid but at the tail end of his term he had to pay. So, I see it as an issue they can resolve amicably, so putting a freeze on their salary is unnecessary. The Ministry should rather allow them to receive their salary if it is due as negotiation is underway because August is half-way and I think they can resolve this matter.”
Since the government did not execute the agreed-upon requirements of their conditions of employment, CETAG has been on strike since August 1.
The Commission has repeatedly requested that the group call off the strike, but the association is adamant in its choice.
CETAG is adamant that its members won’t start working again until the government demonstrates its commitment to their objectives.
The NLC has stated that if CETAG continues its strike, it will be forced to file a lawsuit.
The government’s noncompliance with the NLC’s Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated conditions of service since May 2, 2023, according to CETAG members from all 46 training colleges, has caused them to go on strike since August 1.
Despite repeated notices sent to the Ministry of Finance, the agreed-upon negotiations have yet to be implemented, leading to the continued impasse.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
