The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has directed the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to immediately call off its ongoing industrial action.
According to the Commission, CETAG’s decision to strike at this critical moment demonstrates bad faith, despite the government’s efforts to address their concerns.
Benjamin Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of FWSC, stated that the government has shown goodwill towards CETAG, and it is essential for the teachers to return to the classroom.
“The government means well, and we believe it is mutually beneficial. We urge CETAG to go back to teaching, as this strike is out of bad faith,” Arthur emphasized.
Professor Samuel Atintono, President of the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, also expressed disappointment with the teachers’ decision, describing it as needless and disruptive to academic activities for students.
The Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG) declared an indefinite strike effective Friday, June 14, 2024, over the government’s failure to implement the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions.
A statement issued by CETAG on June 14, 2024, said the strike affects all 46 public colleges of education nationwide and is aimed at pressuring the government to fulfill its commitments.
CETAG is demanding the payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public universities to deserving CETAG members.
The association stressed that the strike is intended to safeguard the economic rights of its members as outlined in Article 24(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and Section 10 (a) and (b) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
