Three teacher unions have threatened to go on an industrial action on August 9, 2024, if the Ministry of Finance fails to authorize payment of agreed allowances by August 8, 2024.

The unions include 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).

The unions are concerned about the Ministry of Finance's failure to issue a letter to facilitate payment of the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.

Despite numerous efforts and repeated requests, the ministry has not taken action on the matter.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 5, 2024, they stated that they have given the government a deadline until August 8 to release payments adding that failure to do so will result in industrial action on Friday, August 9, 2024.

"The Unions have given the government (Ministry) until the close of work on Thursday, August 8, 2024, to release the letter. Failure to do so will result in the Unions being forced to take industrial action on August 9, 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 Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has written to the Ministry of Finance for payment to be made. We have tried to engage the Ministry on several occasions to release a letter so our members could be paid, but the Ministry has refused," the unions noted.

They reiterated their commitment to fighting for the rights of their members and accused the government of using Machiavellian tactics to delay the agreed payments.

They also allege that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has stopped the universities from paying the new rates.

"Now the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission is instructing the universities not to pay the new rate until a letter from the Ministry authorizing the payment is released. In that case, even those receiving the new rate will be denied it, while those on the Controller payroll will remain at their current rate."

"The Unions believe that the government is using Machiavellian tactics to deny us an agreement reached with them," they stated.

JKB/MA

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