Three unions have issued a warning to the Ministry of Finance, threatening to launch an industrial action on August 9, 2024, if the ministry does not authorize the payment of agreed allowances by August 8.
The unions involved—the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC)—have raised concerns over the ministry’s failure to issue a letter that would enable the payment of the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.
In a statement released on Monday, August 5, the unions expressed their frustration: “The Unions have given the government (Ministry) up to the close of work on Thursday, August 8, to release the letter. Failure to do so will result in the Unions being forced to take industrial action on the 9th of August, 2024. The SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU (TUC) are committed to fighting for the rights of their members and will not rest until justice is served.”
The unions noted that while the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has already requested the Ministry of Finance to authorize the payments, their attempts to engage the ministry have been unsuccessful. They pointed out that universities receiving government subventions have been paid, including arrears, but those directly on the Controller and Accountant General’s payroll have been left out.
The unions also alleged that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has halted the payment of the new rate by the universities, waiting for authorization from the Ministry of Finance. This, they claim, could result in those currently receiving the new rate being denied the higher payment, while those on the Controller’s payroll remain unaffected.
The unions accused the government of employing “Machiavellian tactics” to deny them the benefits of an agreement that was previously reached.
