Outcome & directive of meeting between teacher unions, NLC and government – Check Here!

In the midst of a nationwide strike initiated by the three major teacher unions in Ghana, significant developments have emerged from the meeting held between the unions and government representatives. The meeting, convened under the auspices of the National Labour Commission, aimed to address the grievances and chart a path forward amidst the ongoing labor dispute.

Representatives from the government, including officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ghana Education Service, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, engaged in constructive dialogue with leaders from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers Ghana (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT-GH).

Background

The meeting was called in response to a formal complaint filed by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission citing unfair labor practices by the teacher unions, as per Section 127(3) of the Labour Act, 2003. The complaint outlined sixteen negotiation items, ten of which had been resolved during previous discussions, leaving six outstanding financial issues.

Findings

Following deliberations and joint sessions, the National Labour Commission made several key findings:

1. Continuation of Negotiations: Both parties were urged to resume negotiations immediately on the remaining six financial items, emphasizing the importance of reaching mutually beneficial agreements.
2. Call Off Strike: The commission emphasized the necessity for the teacher unions to call off the strike without delay, recognizing the impact of the strike on educational activities and urging for a swift resolution.
3. Resolution of Salary Embargo: The government committed to lifting the embargo on teachers’ salaries, as imposed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, by the end of April 2024, ensuring timely payment to affected teachers.
4. Timely Provision of Laptops: It was assured that all outstanding laptops for teachers would be supplied by the end of June 2024, facilitating professional development and enhancing teaching methodologies.
5. Submission of Scheme of Service: The final draft of the Scheme of Service, crucial for outlining career progression and advancement opportunities for teachers, would be submitted to the unions for study by the end of April 2024.

Directive

The National Labour Commission issued a directive outlining specific actions to be taken by both parties:

1. Immediate resumption of negotiations on financial items.
2. Call off the strike with immediate effect.
3. Lift the salary embargo by end of April 2024.
4. Ensure timely provision of laptops to teachers by end of June 2024.
5. Submit the final draft of the Scheme of Service by end of April 2024.
6. Negotiate in good faith.
7. Report the outcome of negotiations by 17th April 2024.

Stay tuned for further updates on the outcome of negotiations and the impact on education in Ghana.

Source: GESHub.org