Leadership of the Senior Staff Associations of Universities of Ghana are expected to meet the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission today to address issues concerning their tier two allowances.
Ahead of the meeting, the Association is asking Government to stop all forms of intimidation and threats against its members.
In an interview with GBC NEWS President of the Association, Zakaria Mohammed said the meeting is an indication that government has given the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission the green light to commence negotiations on its behalf and was hopeful the meeting will have positive outcomes which will lead to the association calling off its nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission has also directed the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana to call off their industrial action and appear before it today to discuss their concerns.
The NLC’s order comes after it received a letter from the Ministry of Health that in furtherance of the strike embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, its members providing essential services in hospitals, clinics, fire service, anatomy departments and basic schools in public universities have been asked to also lay down their tools.
The Commission in the exercise of its powers under Section 139 (d) of the Labour Act, 2003, (Act 651) said the Association’songoing strike contravenes Section 127 (3) of Act 651.It has therefore directed the Association to call off the ongoing strike immediately pursuant to Section 161 of the Act 651.
A statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ofosu Asamoah said the Commission will enforce compliance if the Association fails to abide by the directive. The Association declared an indefinite strike three weeks ago over the failure of government to pay the Tier 2 pension of its members.
Among other things, members of the association are asking for the award of market premium and non-basic allowance as well as the finalization of negotiations of their conditions of service.