Education Minister freezes payment of August salaries to striking CETAG members

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has written to the Controller and the Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) to halt payment of salaries to striking members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) for August.

The letter dated Monday (21 August) was sent on the orders of the Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei-Adutwum, indicating that “any arrears before August 2023 should be validated and paid”.

Move ill-informed

The Education Ministry has been criticised for issuing this directive. A minority MP and member of parliament’s education committee Dr Clement Apaak who is leading the charge wants the decision reversed.

“Gov’t ought to reverse the decision not to pay Lecturers of our 46 CoE salaries for Aug 2023. When did going on a lawful strike to demand the implementation of agreed conditions of service become punishable? This move is ill-informed and will worsen an already worrying situation”, Dr Apaak posted via his X page.

About CETAG strike

CETAG embarked on an indefinite strike to push the government to redeem its promise of implementing its negotiated conditions of service.

Their decision follows the non-compliance of the government with the National Labour Commission’s Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated conditions of service since May 2, 2023.

Although the NLC has ordered the government to fulfil its part of the negotiated conditions of service agreement reached, the teachers are still on strike.

Assurance

In an interview, the National President of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has assured that the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG)’s demands from the government will be met by August 31.

Prof Samuel Atintono said processes are currently underway for their concerns to be addressed.

“Government has accepted, we are working through the process, and we are hoping that by August ending they should get it,” he assured.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH

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