The Senior Staff Association of universities in Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) have announced an indefinite nationwide strike, seeking improved conditions of service and pension benefits.
Issuing a press statement, Isaac Donkoh, the National Chairman of the association, cited the government’s failure to address issues related to the welfare of university senior staff, particularly concerning pensions and conditions of service outlined in the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), as the reason for the decision.
Donkoh revealed that despite numerous pleas, the government had not released Tier-2 Pension contributions for effective investment management, as required by the Pension Act. Additionally, the cancellation of their overtime allowance, contrary to the agreed condition of service, further fueled their decision to embark on an indefinite strike.
Efforts to persuade the government to release pension funds and reinstate the overtime allowance proved unsuccessful, leading to the decision for the nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, in response to the industrial action, the Labour Commission has called for a meeting with relevant parties, including the Ministers of Education, Employment and Labour Relations, and other key stakeholders, scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024.
Isaac Donkoh highlighted the government’s failure to pay timely pension contributions between 2010 and 2016, neglecting the mandated three percent penalty and using simple interest rates instead of compound rates, resulting in significant losses for members.
The consequences of these actions, particularly for retirees from 2020 to 2023, include denial of rightful lump sums, leading to financial hardship and health challenges in their retirement years.
The associations are demanding payment of all outstanding debt and pension contributions with appropriate interest from March to December 2023, using the three percent penalty rates as stipulated in Section 64 of the Pensions Act, 2010 (Act 766).
They also call for the recalculation of accrued interest on Tier-2 pensions for 2010-2016, as agreed upon in the Memorandum of Agreement signed on July 25, 2022, and prompt settlement of all outstanding arrears to retirees.
Additionally, the associations call for the withdrawal of letters from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) dated November 7 and 20, 2023, eliminating overtime allowance for senior staff. They emphasize the need to maintain the existing Collective Agreement to restore industrial harmony between the associations and the government.