NLC describes strike by teachers as ‘unmeritorious’ and ‘needless’
The Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Ofosu Asamoah, has expressed dissatisfaction about the ongoing strike by labour unions within the educational sector.
“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.
The Senior Staff Association of the Public Universities in Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) declared an indefinite nationwide strike on January 17, 2024, to demand better conditions of service and pension.
A few days later, the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) also declared a nationwide strike to demand better conditions of service and pension.
According to the labour unions, the government is reluctant to address their welfare needs, including tier-two pension funds, vehicle maintenance allowance, and overtime allowance.
Mr. Asamoah, speaking in an interview, said, “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 in an interview.
He further described the actions by the labour unions as ‘wrong’ and unlawful’.