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In a move that has sent shockwaves through the education sector, the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) jointly declared an indefinite industrial strike, affecting all public universities in Ghana. The announcement was made in a press statement released on January 17, 2024, citing the government’s persistent neglect of the welfare of senior staff as the primary catalyst for the decision.
The crux of the matter revolves around critical issues related to pensions and Conditions of Service, as outlined in the Labour Act of Ghana. The Senior Staff Association revealed that despite numerous pleas, the government had failed to release Tier-2 Pension contributions to the Board of Trustees for proper investment management, a violation of the Pension Act. Furthermore, the illegal cancellation of overtime allowances, a breach of the agreed Conditions of Service, added fuel to the dissatisfaction.
Historically, the government’s track record in handling pension contributions has been marred by delays and non-compliance. The National Executive Council meeting on November 25, 2023, exposed the government’s failure to address these issues despite prolonged negotiations since February 2023. The matter is now under consideration by the National Labour Commission (NLC), highlighting the government’s persistent non-compliance with the Pensions Law (Act 766 Section 64).
The implications of the government’s actions are severe, particularly for retirees between 2020 and 2023, who have been denied their rightful lump sums, facing poverty and illness in their twilight years.
The unions’ demands include the urgent payment of outstanding pension contributions with appropriate interest, recalculation of accrued interest on Tier-2 pensions for 2010-2016, and the withdrawal of directives eliminating overtime allowances for senior staff.
With regret, the Senior Staff Association officially declared an indefinite strike across all public universities in Ghana, effective immediately. This unprecedented move comes at a time when academic and administrative activities are in full swing, emphasizing the severity of the situation. The union expressed regret over the counter-productive path but asserted that the government bears responsibility for any dire consequences that may arise from this action. The strike aims to compel the government to respect the labor laws fully and address the protracted concerns raised by the senior staff.
