No End in Sight: CETAG Vows to Keep Striking Until Demands Are Met

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) remains steadfast in its strike, asserting that it will only relent once the government implements the agreed-upon terms of their conditions of service.

The ongoing strike, which commenced on August 1, has cast a shadow over the education sector, prompting worries about its ramifications for students and academic undertakings.

The primary cause for the strike stems from the government’s alleged disregard for the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated conditions of service, a situation that CETAG asserts has persisted since May 2, 2023.

The repercussions of the strike have been keenly felt, leading to disruptions in education and raising apprehensions regarding the potential effects on students’ learning journeys.

The NLC recently intervened by directing the government to promptly execute the mutually accepted conditions of service with CETAG in a bid to curtail the protracted strike.

However, CETAG’s national president, Prince Obeng Himah, revealed during an interview that the association is insistent on tangible assurances that their demands will be met before they cease their protest.

Himah emphasized several focal points that CETAG is aiming to address, encompassing validation of their remuneration, guaranteed paid leave, and a blueprint for enacting the staff audit report.

He lauded the NLC’s directive, hailing it as a triumph for the rule of law and underscoring the significance of safeguarding the interests of both employers and employees.

As the strike endures, it spotlights the ongoing dialogues and tensions between labor unions and governmental bodies concerning workforce conditions, wages, and perks across assorted sectors.

The impasse illustrates the intricate landscape of negotiations and the delicate balance that exists between the aspirations of labor unions and the responsibilities of governments.