CETAG to Embark On Strike; Letter To FWSC

Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) Threatens Industrial Action

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) is on the verge of embarking on an industrial action also known as strike, as the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions has left the Association frustrated.

With reference to the letter issued, the NLC is reluctant to trigger Section 172 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to compel the government to comply with the orders and directives, despite CETAG’s compliance with the directive to call off their strike in August 2023.

The Association has also accused the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Education Ministry of deliberately refusing to pay deserving members of CETAG a top-up of research allowance as arrears arising from the 2023 Conditions of Service (CoS) Agreement signed with FWSC.

The Association has given a May 31 ultimatum to the government, which has elapsed without any significant progress. In a letter to the FWSC, CETAG expressed their disappointment and frustration over the government’s delay in addressing their service conditions hence the need to embark on strike.

The letter highlighted several issues, including compensating each member with one month’s salary for additional duties performed in 2022.

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“We have been frustrated by the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions,” said Prince Obeng-Himah, the General Secretary of CETAG.

The Association’s decision to embark on an industrial action comes after suspending their initial strike action on September 5, 2023. Obeng-Himah explained that the decision was made following directives from the National Labour Commission last Wednesday, asking them to call off the action.

He revealed that CETAG had been assured that the NLC had compelled the government to provide evidence of full compliance, including bringing timelines or providing them with timelines when those that are yet to comply would be complied.

“We have been assured that the NLC has compelled the government to provide evidence of full compliance, including bringing timelines or providing them with timelines when those that are yet to comply would be complied,” said Obeng-Himah.

The Association’s decision to embark on an industrial action is likely to disrupt academic activities in colleges of education across the country. The government is yet to respond to CETAG’s demands, and it remains to be seen how they will address the issues raised by the Association. The situation is likely to cause tension in the education sector, as CETAG’s members are determined to have their demands met.

The Association is calling on the government to take immediate action to address their concerns and prevent an industrial action. The situation is being closely monitored by stakeholders in the education sector, and it remains to be seen how it will things will go.

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