The Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU) of Ghana is threatening a nationwide strike over the government’s decision to withdraw a car maintenance allowance for junior staff at tertiary institutions.

This move, which was originally initiated by the previous NPP administration, has sparked strong opposition from the union, which argues that the decision undermines agreements made with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

Charles Arthur, the Local Chairman at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), revealed that GTEC had instructed the heads of tertiary institutions to stop disbursing the allowance, a move contrary to previous commitments. This decision, Mr.Arthur argues, is a breach of contract and is deeply unjust.

In August 2024, TEWU-Ghana, GTEC, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders had agreed to the implementation of the vehicle maintenance allowance. The allowance was designed to support junior staff who use their personal vehicles for official duties. However, GTEC’s recent announcement that it will be withdrawing the allowance as part of austerity measures aimed at reducing the public sector wage bill has caused significant uproar.

While the directive also raised questions about the eligibility of junior staff for the allowance, Arthur insists the withdrawal is a direct violation of labor agreements. “The letter is in bad faith, and it goes against the directives of the Labour Commission. The car maintenance allowance is our entitlement,” he said.

Mr. Arthur further stressed that the withdrawal of the allowance is particularly unfair given the low salaries already paid to junior staff. “We have about 600 junior staff, and only 43 of them benefit from this allowance. It is part of our condition of service, and we will not let anyone take it away,” he stated.

The union has given the government a two-week ultimatum to reverse the directive. Failure to do so will result in a nationwide strike, with Arthur warning, “We have met all the requirements to go on strike, and if the allowance isn’t paid this month, we will lay down our tools.”

Source:TheDotNews