CETAG strike continues despite NLC directive to call off

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) continues its strike action despite a directive from the National Labour Commission (NLC) to return to negotiations.

The NLC issued this directive during a hearing on Thursday, June 20 2024 where it announced plans to take legal action against the government to enforce arbitral awards in favour of CETAG.

CETAG members initiated their strike on Friday, June 14, 2024, citing the government’s delay in implementing agreed-upon arbitral awards and negotiated service conditions, including an additional month’s salary for duties performed in 2022.

During the hearing, the NLC stressed the urgency of resolving the dispute and informed CETAG of its intention to initiate legal proceedings against the government on June 26 to enforce compliance with the arbitral awards.

Labour Consultant Austin Garmey, speaking to the press after the NLC’s directive, acknowledged that CETAG’s concerns had been heard. He urged CETAG to consult with their advisors and consider calling off the strike in light of the NLC’s intervention.

However, CETAG President Prince Obeng Himang, in an interview with Joy News, indicated that the directive was viewed as advice rather than a binding order. He emphasized that until the government fully implements the arbitral awards as directed by the NLC, the strike would continue.

“We are simply asking the Employer to fully implement the arbitral orders given by the NLC which the Commission even now sees that the employer has not been forthcoming and that they are even going to court to seek an injunction to compel the employer to comply with,” Himang stated.