Ghana was gripped with fear when teachers’ unions declared strike action. The strike action came at a time Junior High School pupils were preparing to write their final WAEC examinations.
The unions in a joint press statement released on the 4th June 2022 contended in part “…our demand is influenced by the high level of inflation in the country; the incessant skyrocketing prices of fuel, goods and services have eroded the already so called woefully salary increases granted us as expressed in 4% and 7% for 2021 and 2022 respectively. Inflation in the country is currently at 27.6% and continues to escalate ad infinitum; only God knows when this will abate”.
Immediately after the release, Primary and Junior High Schools’ teachers embarked on strike. The strike added to the already uneasy environment in the country as the nation reels from economic crises and seeks IMF bailout.
The Labor Ministry engaged the leaders of the unions who were demanding 20% Cost of Living Allowances (COLA) for days until an agreement was reached yesterevening. The government agreed with the unions to a 15% increase based on basic salary for all public sector workers.
Minister for Employment and Labor Relations in an interview with afropolitanonline.com hinted: “We have finally reached a consensus. We think the increment is fair and appropriate under the circumstances in which we find ourselves as a Nation. For now, everyone is happy and the teachers will resume work as early as possible”.
Though teachers’ unions have negotiated with government to their satisfaction, whether teachers can make extra time to prepare their students for the exams continues to disturb both students and parents alike.
Jeffery Jones
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