TUTAG GIVES GOV’T 10-DAY ULTIMATUM TO RESOLVE ITS CONCERNS OR JOIN UTAG ON STRIKE

Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to government to address members’ concerns or be left with no option than to lay down their tools.

The Association described as blatant disregard on the part of government for not implementing the rulings of National Labour Commission (NLC) pertaining to members Conditions of Service.

The Association claimed the issue of codified Conditions of Service for TUTAG members has been outstanding since 2016.

According to President of TUTAG, Professor Dr Collins Ameyaw  address to the media in Kumasi indicates that,TUTAG has patiently engaged Government, amidst a feet-dragging posture by the latter. In a June 2021
(27/06/202 1) ruling by the NLC, referenced NLC/43/2021/52, the NLC ruled, among others, that:”Government should continue to engage the Association on the review of the expired conditions of service for TUTAG”.

In another ruling on 2nd September, 2022, referenced NLC/0.1/4.21/2022/4, the Commission
directed as follows:
“That the effective date of payment of the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) component of the Allowance (s) should be August, 2021 as negotiated and agreed by the parties.
2. That the implementation date should be January, 2023.
3. That the Minister of Finance (MoF) is hereby directed to ensure payment in January, 2023 and should also ensure that it issues the necessary letters to the various University Councils within reasonable time to make budgetary provisions in the budget to take care of the payments on the effective date”.

TUTAG wrote to the NLC on 20th October, 2022 praying the Commission to invoke its own powers by enforcing the orders aforementioned as per section 172 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 65.  Surprisingly, the Commission seems reluctant in enforcing its own ruling, a posture we are highly dissatisfied with.

The TUs have commenced the 2022/2023 academic year, the 2021/2022 Book and Research Allowances are
still outstanding for majority of our members. TUTAG vehemently registers its displeasure with the unprecedented delays that have characterized the payment of the 2021/2022 Book and Research Allowances. Even though the MoF has issued the warrant for the release of these allowances, majority of our members are yet to be paid. TUTAG rejects this unjustifiable delay and calls on the Government to pay its members within this week.

“TUTAG has taken the right steps to bring to the attention of the Government and the NLC on 26th September, 2022 its rejection of the Government’s refusal to adjust the off-campus and vehicle maintenance
allowance rates using the reviewed ex pump price at the time (GH¢ 10.99 / litre),we want government to review the price to 10.99 cedis per litre.

Professor Dr Collins Ameyaw called on government that the National Executive of TUTAG has been
stretched to its wits’ end concerning the unresolved issues listed earlier, and would therefore not be able to guarantee industrial harmony on the various campuses. “Government must take note of the overwhelming support for a strike action at a recently held Congress of TUTAG in Bolgatanga, should Government fail to address these concerns or engage TUTAG to have an amicable settlement of these issues within the next ten (10) days. After the expiration of this period,TUTAG will not hesitate in any way to declare a strike action should our concerns remain unaddressed”.

By Enock Baffoe/uniquenewsgh.com

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