Planned strike by concerned teachers illegal – Labour Commission

The National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday said the planned strike by the Coalition of Concerned Teachers -Ghana on Thursday, May 12, would be illegal because the procedures clearly spelt out in the Labour Act had not been followed.

It therefore invited the leadership of the Coalition to a meeting on Thursday, May 12 in connection with the dispute with their employer, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and Ministry of Education.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Mohammed Affum, Public Affairs Officer of the Commission in Accra.

“It has come to the attention of the NLC that the Coalition has called on its members in primary, second cycle schools to embark on a nationwide strike beginning tomorrow, Thursday, May 12.

In a letter to the Minister of Education, the Coalition claims that its members were very much disappointed with their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) especially the base pay.”

According to the Coalition, several efforts made for Government to address their concerns had fallen on deaf ears, “it added.

The Commission drew the attention of the leaders of the Coalition to Section 168 of the Labour Act which states that “A person who declares or instigates or incites others to take part in an illegal strike is liable for any damage, loss or injury suffered by any other person as a result of the illegal strike.”

Additionally, the Act provides that workers who embark on an illegal strike may have their employment terminated by the employer without notice for breach of their contract of employment or may forfeit their remuneration in respect of the period during which they are engaged in the illegal strike.

Source: GNA