Kumasi, July 20, GNA - Mr Dan Ayim Antwi, the General Secretary of the Teachers Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said on Thursday that a national wage policy was crucial in the development of the country.

He appealed to the government to discuss with the Tripartite Committee and other stakeholders and come out with such a policy to cushion workers and address disparities in incomes.

Mr Antwi was addressing members of the TEWU at a meeting in Kumasi on Thursday.

He said the strike action of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) is on going and the situation has affected academic work of students.

"The union and the principals of polytechnics have been in touch with the government to resolve the problem." The General Secretary said the union has started negotiations with the government to enable members of the union to enjoy end-of-service benefits and other allowances to motivate them to work harder.

Mr Antwi said the Bediako Commission's Pension Report has been submitted to the government and urged Parliament to discuss it and come out with recommendations to improve the payment of pensions to workers. On the 20 per cent salary increase to workers, he said the union would not in future tolerate the manner in which the government alone comes out with salary increases and that the government should decide on salary increases in collaboration with other unions.

During an open forum, the members called on the Labour Enterprise Trust of the TUC to ensure that dividends of their shares were paid to them to enable them enjoy the benefits accruing from the Trust.