Teacher Unions announce strike action over 20% COLA
The leadership of various Teacher Unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) Monday, July 4, 2022, declared a nationwide strike action over 20% COLA (Cost of living allowance) the central government has refused to agree.
In a joint release copied to AcademicWeek, the Unions said they on several occasions have engaged the government on the COLA to teachers and educational workers of pre-tertiary education level but their all efforts prove futile.
“Unfortunately, these calls have fallen on deaf ears, we wish to use this forum to express our displeasure over this insensitivity of the government regarding our demand,” the Teacher Unions stated in a statement issued on July 4.
Citing an increase in fuel prices, goods and other services, the leadership of the education sector Unions said their decision to embark on the nationwide industrial action is influenced by the high cost of living in the country.
“Inflation in the country is currently 27.6% and continues to escalate and Infinitum; only God knows when this will abate. We are much appalled at the inept attitude of the government relative to call for COLA,” the Unions noted.
According to the leadership, members of the recognized Teacher Unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) can no longer bear the hardship. Even more so, they reject the inequality of salaries in the public service of this country.
“We have been compelled under the current circumstance to publicly communicate to Ghanaians on our intention to go on strike have gone passed the June 30, 2022 deadline we gave the government for payment of COLA
Consequently, we have decided to embark on strike action, effective today Monday, July 4, 2022. By this we are informing the public that we are withdrawing all services in all pre-tertiary educational spaces,” the teachers stated.
