The Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff have announced an immediate commencement of an indefinite strike.
The drastic measure comes in response to what they describe as the government’s neglect of their welfare, particularly regarding pensions and the recent cancellation of overtime allowances.
Speaking at a press conference, the National Chairman of SSA-UoG, Mr Isaac Donkoh, held the government accountable for the repercussions of this strike.
He highlighted the failure to release tier 2 pension funds since February 2023 as a key grievance.
Mr Donkoh therefore underscored the need for government to urgently release all pending arrears to their fund managers, along with settling the accrued interest at a rate of three percent.
“Government must, as a matter of agency, pay all outstanding contributions, together with the appropriate interest, from March to December 2023, using 3% penalty rate as stated by the Pensions Act 766 session 64.”
Mr Donkoh also demanded the withdrawal of certain directives issued in November by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
“We also demand immediate withdrawal of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and GTECH letters dated November 7 and 20th, 2023, which illegally eliminated overtime allowance for senior staff of public universities.”
Furthermore, the association demands a recalculated interest for the period between 2010 and 2016, as agreed upon in July 2022.
The Association is also seeking the payment of all outstanding arrears for staff who have been on pension from 2020 to 2023.
We hereby officially declare an indefinite strike action across Ghana with immediate effect. We are saying that our members should sit at home until government is ready to address these concerns.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
