The National Labour Commission (NLC) has issued a statement outlining its guidelines regarding the execution of the Arbitral Award by both the government and the Colleges of Education Teachers' Association of Ghana (CETAG) subsequent to their meeting on the 31st of August, 2023.
The assembly was convened to address the ongoing 'disagreement' between CETAG and the government concerning the execution of employment terms for CETAG affiliates.
Attendance at the Commission
The government's representation was led by the Director of Tertiary Education from the Ministry of Education, whereas CETAG was represented by its President. On the 30th of August, 2023, both parties presented their arguments before the Commission.
Commission's Observations
Following a thorough review of both sides' presentations, the Commission made a series of observations. It was acknowledged that the government had adhered to the instructions issued by the Commission on the 16th of August, 2023. These directives encompassed the enactment of employment terms beginning on the 1st of January, 2023, remittance of a one-month salary to all eligible personnel for additional duties undertaken in 2022, and the allowance of fifteen working days of leave for entitled employees in 2022.
However, the Commission also took note of certain areas that required further attention. It was noted that the government needed to establish precise timelines for the implementation of its guidelines within the Colleges. Additionally, the Commission highlighted that CETAG was still in a state of strike, signifying non-compliance with the Commission's instruction of the 16th of August, 2023, which mandated them to halt the strike immediately upon receiving the government's communication.
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Further, the Ministry of Education had communicated with the Controller and Accountant-General to suspend the disbursement of August salaries to CETAG members due to their lack of engagement during August.
Commission's Directives
After comprehensive contemplation of these considerations, the Commission outlined specific directives. Firstly, they ordered the completion of data aggregation for the payment of a one-month salary as compensation to eligible personnel for supplementary duties performed in 2022 by the 15th of September, 2023. The disbursement of this compensation was mandated to be executed by the 30th of October, 2023.
Secondly, the government was instructed to ensure the prompt execution of the fifteen days' leave entitlement for eligible workers in 2022 across various Colleges of Education. Furthermore, the Commission directed the government to share CETAG's staff audit report with pertinent stakeholders by the 1st of September, 2023.
Ultimately, the Commission called upon CETAG to comply with its prior instruction to promptly conclude the strike and to subsequently provide written confirmation of their adherence to the Commission. Only after this confirmation would the Commission consider intervening in the matter of withholding salaries for Respondent Members in August.
Important to note, CETAG has not yet communicated their decision to cease the strike. We are vigilantly monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of any developments.
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