The Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Mr. Ofosu Asamoah has strongly criticized the ongoing strike actions by various labour unions within the educational sector, branding their move as ‘unmeritorious’ and ‘needless.’
The unions currently on strike include the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG), Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU), and the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA). Their decision to strike stems from the government’s alleged failure to address crucial concerns affecting their members.
Among the grievances raised by the labour unions are complaints about the employer’s reluctance to address their welfare needs. These concerns encompass tier-two pension funds, vehicle maintenance allowance, and overtime allowance, among other issues.
In an exclusive interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Ofosu expressed his disapproval of the labour unions’ actions, particularly highlighting their haste in resorting to strikes despite ongoing negotiations with the Commission. The Executive Secretary emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach in resolving disputes and urged the unions to reconsider their decisions for the greater benefit of all stakeholders involved.
“There was an agreement between the parties involved. You leave the commission and go and declare a strike, and all others have also joined. You have put something across, and you have agreed, why go on strike when your issues have been resolved? Why do you want to be on strike when those issues that have not been resolved are being resolved by your good self?”
“It’s quite an unfortunate situation. It’s like, at the moment, the strike is becoming a tool that is being misused. I failed to find the legs on which they were standing to declare the strike and close all universities. As if they just want to close it for fun. Their strike is unmeritorious, it’s needless,” he pointed out.
He further described the actions by the labour unions as ‘wrong’ and unlawful.’
“As the Executive Secretary of the NLC, with my experience, knowledge, and everything of the law, I think this is an unlawful strike,” Mr. Asamoah insisted.
