Accra (Greater Accra) - The Ministry of Education on Tuesday said the government has directed that payment of salaries of members of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) who have embarked on an illegal strike be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the sector minister, in a statement in Accra, said the withdrawal would remain for the duration of the strike action.

The statement explained that non-teaching staffs of the polytechnics are not affected by the directive and will continue their normal working schedule at their various posts.

It said at a meeting with the Chairmen of Councils of Polytechnics, the Council of Polytechnic Principals and POTAG, on Tuesday, August 29, the minister stated that the on-going strike action is a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the parties.

The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and all stakeholders, on August 9, signed an agreement on the conditions of service for Polytechnic Teachers, the constitution and the Laws of Ghana.

Although the Agreement on the Condition of Service for Polytechnic Teachers expire in October 2001, the minister said the government was willing to advance the negotiations for new conditions of service in order to consider the detailed proposal of POTAG.

The statement said the government also offered to grant POTAG a 20 per cent salary increase and an increase in Research Allowance in the same proportion as enjoyed by the universities.

It said in spite of this major concession, POTAG had refused to compromise and persisted with its illegal strike action thereby disrupting academic programmes at the various campuses while they continue to enjoin their salaries.

"POTAG, as teachers of our youth, have a moral duty to show by example a willingness to use laid down procedures for redress of their grievances," it added.