The Ghanaian government has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2024, with striking tertiary workers in a bid to address the grievances that prompted their industrial action. This meeting is pivotal in resolving issues related to delayed tier 2 pension payments, including demands for compound interest and improved conditions of service.
The striking groups, including the Senior Staff, Teachers, and Educational Workers Union, alongside the Ghana Association of University Administrators from the University of Ghana, have been vocal about their demands. Ken Botchway, Chairman of the Legon branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), views the upcoming meeting as a positive step. “We are hopeful about the meeting with the Minister for Labour, Employment, and Pensions. The outcome will be communicated to the media,” Botchway stated during a member update on the strike on January 29, 2024.
Botchway highlighted that while some progress has been made on conditions of service, the calculation of pensions remains a contentious issue. “Our primary concern is the use of compound interest for pensions, as simple interest puts pensioners at a disadvantage,” he explained to JoyNews.
In the meantime, the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities continues its strike, defying the National Labour Commission’s directive to suspend it. The Association’s leadership asserts the need for further internal discussions before making any decisions about ending the strike.
Isaac Donkoh, National Chairman of the Association, stressed the importance of safeguarding members’ interests. “Our decision-making process will not be hastened to the detriment of our members,” he affirmed.
This upcoming meeting represents a critical juncture in the ongoing labour dispute within Ghana’s tertiary sector. The government’s response to the strikers’ demands and the outcome of the discussions will be closely monitored by various stakeholders. The resolution of this issue is crucial, not only for the striking workers but also for the broader educational and labor sectors in Ghana.
As the nation awaits the results of this key meeting, the hope is that a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached, bringing an end to the strike and addressing the concerns of Ghana’s tertiary workers.
