Government to meet striking tertiary workers on February 1

Striking tertiary workers say government has scheduled a meeting with them on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

This meeting is expected to address the concerns that have led the members to embark on the industrial action.

The Senior Staff, Teachers, and Educational Workers Union, along with the Ghana Association of University Administrators of the University Of Ghana, is demanding the payment of their delayed tier 2 pensions with compound interest and better conditions of service.

Chairman of the Legon branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Ken Botchway says they consider it a step in the right direction.

"We want to see it as a positive development that we are meeting the Minister for Labour Employment and Pensions hopefully on the first of February. And then we will take it from there, whatever will happen we will let the media know about it," he said.

Mr Botchway made this known during a meeting on Monday, January 29, 2024, to update members on the industrial action so far.

He however indicated that some issues surrounding their conditions of service have seen some headway.

But matters regarding the calculation of the pensions remain problematic and will be high on the agenda during the February 1 meeting.

"The government is supposed to use compound interest, not simple interest. If the government uses simple interest, pensioners will be at a disadvantage," he told JoyNews.

Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities has maintained that their strike is ongoing, despite the National Labour Commission's directive to suspend it.

According to the Association's leadership, they still need to convene and engage in discussions with their members before making any decision to unilaterally end the strike.

National Chairman of the Association, Isaac Donkoh, emphasised that they will prioritise the interests of their members and will not be rushed into making any unfavourable decisions.