By: Deborah Amewoyi
The National Labour Commission has issued a strict directive to the Senoir Staff Association of the University of Ghana (SSA-UoG), Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to call off their strike action which commenced yesterday May 21, 2021.
In an official release on the same day the strike action begun, the NLC served the striking unions a notice to immediately quit strike actions referrencing violations of Ghana’s Labour Act.
In the release, the NLC cited Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) ordering the aforementioned striking unions to call off their strike action with immediate effect.
Apparently, the NLC had called on the striking unions on May 21 ordering a stay on their intended strike action. Reports have indicated that TUAAG and FUSAAG were present during the consultation whilst SSA-UoG were absent. Despite this intervention by the Commission’s intervention, these striking unions proceeded to announce a strike action on the same day, citing government’s continued breach in agreement as the basis.
Notably, the unions blame the previous and current government for failing to honour a six months old agreement aimed at improving their service of conditions. Leadership for the union indicated that the strike action was their last alternative after series of neglect and failed dialogue on the part of the government.
The National Labour Commission however believes that the striking unions have engaged in an illegal strike action citing Section 161 of the Labour Act. The commission have directed these striking unions to call off the strike action with immediate effect and to inform the commission before any further action will be taken.
