Labour expert, Austin Gameh has weighed in on the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), asserting that the government is responsible for 80% of the situation.
Mr. Gameh emphasized that the demands made by CETAG members are legitimate, highlighting the principle of “equal work demands equal pay.”
He argued that the government, as the employer, should either meet these demands or engage in reasonable negotiations.
In a recent interview on A1 Radio, Gameh criticized the government’s handling of the situation, stating, “Generally speaking, if there is any fault at all, it is coming from the employer. They did not handle the situation well. CETAG members were patient, going through the legal process, and their strike is legal. They have little trust in their employer.”
He further added that the government’s initial response to CETAG’s agitation was dismissive and lacked a proper understanding of the issues at hand.
Gameh commended CETAG’s adherence to legal procedures in their pursuit of fair treatment, describing their strike as one of the most legally grounded he has witnessed in the country. He stressed that the government’s pride and reluctance to address the teachers’ concerns have exacerbated the situation, leading to the prolonged strike.
The CETAG strike, now entering its fourth week, stems from the government’s failure to honor its agreement with the association. CETAG members are demanding payment for additional duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed-upon rates of allowances payable to public university staff.
They further withdrew all their services following the government’s directive to freeze their July salaries.
This decision comes after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) instructed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to suspend the salaries of all striking CETAG members, excluding the Principals, for July 2024.
The salary suspension, announced on July 22, was aimed at compelling CETAG members to end their strike, which has disrupted academic activities across various colleges of education in Ghana.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
