The directive was issued yesterday following a series of engagements between the government, represented by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, the Fair Wages and Compensation Commission (FWSC), and Ghana’s teacher unions. The National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the Ghana Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Ghana) are working towards resolving the impasse that led to the strike.
This followed a complaint by the FWSC regarding unfair labor practices by three teachers’ unions in violation of Section 127(3) of the Labor Law 2003 (Act No. 651).
The petitioner stated that there were 16 items for negotiation, 10 of which were negotiated and agreed upon on the first day of talks, and the remaining 6 items were unresolved.
The six outstanding items raised by the teachers’ union were financial issues, including continuing professional development allowance, deprived area allowance, teaching and assessment allowance, rent and housing allowance, and transport and commuting allowance.
The FWSC therefore stated that the strike affected the item negotiations.
NLC survey results
In its findings, the Committee noted the need for parties to immediately continue negotiations on six financial items. Complainants informed the conference that the special prosecutor’s embargo on some teachers’ salaries as a result of the pending audit had been lifted.
However, respondents claimed that there are other teachers whose salaries have not yet been paid. βThe committee was also informed that the final draft of the service scheme will be submitted to the respondents for consideration by the end of April 2024,β the committee said.
The FWSC informed the conference that the remaining laptops for teachers will be supplied by the end of June 2024.
Command
As a result of its findings, the committee ordered the teachers’ union to return to class and further directed the parties to meet yesterday to continue negotiations on six financial items.
Financial items presented to the committee by the teachers’ union included continuing professional development allowance, deprived area allowance, teaching and assessment allowance, rent and housing allowance, and transport and commuting allowance.
FWSC guarantees that the Office of the Special Counsel’s salary embargo on some teachers will be lifted by the end of April 2024, and will ensure that all teachers receive laptops by the end of June 2024 It was supposed to be done like this.
The committee also ordered the FWSC to ensure the submission of a final draft service plan by the end of April 2024 for the teachers’ union study. “The parties should negotiate in good faith. The parties should report the results of their negotiations on April 17, 2024,” it added.
On the issue of providing laptops to members who do not have them under the government’s special assistance programme, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutum, said the government would ensure the supply of laptops within two months. Ta.
He therefore urged teachers to return to their classrooms in good faith to continue negotiations.
the strike isn’t over yet
Addressing the press during the strike declaration in an interview with Daily Graphic over the NLC directive, GNAT Chairman, Pastor Isaac Owusu, said the strike will continue until each union is able to communicate with its constituents.
However, he revealed that the union was scheduled to meet with the employment minister yesterday and expressed hope that a fruitful outcome could be reached that would change the situation.
background
Three teachers’ unions declared a nationwide strike on March 20, citing unreasonable delays in collective bargaining agreements and the unavailability of a proposed functional service system for teachers.