The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-Ghana) has threatened a nationwide strike over the withdrawal of car maintenance allowances for junior staff members, initiated by the previous NPP administration. The local chairman at KNUST, Charles Arthur, states that, contrary to earlier agreements, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed heads of tertiary institutions to withdraw the allowances. The Union is therefore demanding a retraction of this directive, threatening to lay down their tools if it proceeds.
In August 2024, TEWU-GHANA, GTEC, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders, agreed on the payment of vehicle maintenance allowance to Junior Staff at the tertiary level. The allowance was introduced to support junior staff members who use their personal vehicles for official duties. However, GTEC recently announced that it would be withdrawing the allowance as part of its austerity measures to reduce the public sector wage bill.
The directive also raises concerns about the eligibility of Junior Staff members who receive the allowance. But KNUST Chairman of TEWU-GHANA, Charles Arthur, says the withdrawal of the vehicle maintenance allowance for Junior Staff is a breach of contract. “The letter is in bad faith because it is contrary to the directives of the labour commission. The car maintenance allowance is our entitlement” he said. Charles Arthur argues the withdrawal of the allowance is unfair and will disproportionately affect junior staff members who are already struggling with low salaries.
“We have about 600 junior staff and only 43 are benefiting….it is our condition of service and we will not allow anybody to take it away” he indicated. The Union has given the government a two-week ultimatum to pull back its directive, failing which they will withdraw their services. “We have satisfied the requirement to go on strike and if it is not paid this month, we will lay down our tools. We will go on strike” he cautioned.
By: Nana Boakye Dankwah Yiadom
