The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) is preparing to end its nationwide strike after a meeting with the Ministry of Labour and Employment Relations (MLER) facilitated by the Fair Wages Commission.
The meeting, which took place today, sought to address the urgent concerns of CETAG members, who have been on strike for the past two months, causing a complete shutdown of academic activities across all 46 Colleges of Education in the country.
CETAG is expected to officially announce the resumption of academic activities later this week, following an upcoming council meeting. Additionally, salaries for July and August 2024 are expected to be paid by the end of the month.
Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, affirmed the government's commitment to the agreement by stating, "I am appending my signature to signify the fact that I am committed, or the government team is committed, to that which we have agreed to in this document."
The leader of the CETAG delegation also expressed the Association's commitment, saying, "On behalf of over 2,000 members of CETAG, I also want to assure the media and all present that CETAG is committed to what has been agreed upon in this document, and I am ready to sign."
CETAG members had initially gone on strike on June 14, demanding improved working conditions and remuneration. This action was in response to the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated service conditions.
The demands from CETAG include the payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022, as well as the application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public university staff to deserving CETAG members.