body-container-line-1

School pupils hard hit by public sector strike; Minister assesses impact

By MyJoyOnline
General News School pupils hard hit by public sector strike; Minister assesses impact
OCT 22, 2014 LISTEN

School pupils are suffering the brunt of the strike called by public sector workers today.

Twelve labour unions including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) are protesting government's refusal to allow them to manage their second tier pension scheme.

Government in turn, has accused the unions of refusing to attend meetings for negotiations, and also declared the strike illegal because the workers disregarded Act 651 of the Labour Act by not serving government notice of their intention to boycott work.

Joy News regional correspondents report that most schools were closed down across the country.

LUV FM's Prince Appiah reports that pupils in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi have been asked to go home.

Many were found loitering, as school authorities closed down most of the schools, he reported.

Some final year pupils in the region fear a prolonged strike will affect their final examination.

Reporting from Northern Region, Martina Abugri reported that the situation was similar in the region.

Pupils there begged government to respond to the needs of the striking teachers in order for them to resume work. One admitted the strike will affect their preparations towards next year's Basic Education Certificate Examination.

Meanwhile in the health sector, Beatrice Adu who has been monitoring events at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital reports that doctors and nurses there were at post and attending to patients.

“Everything is going on smoothly at Korle Bu,” she reported.

At Ridge Hospital, the Administrator Emmanuel Taadi, said staff there only got to know about the strike in the media today but until they receive a formal declaration from their union leaders, they will continue to work.

Joy News' checks at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi indicate skeletal staff is at post and attending to emergency cases.

In the Upper East region, the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) were yet to comply with the strike but explained that a system has been put in place to offer services for emergency cases and women in labour.

At the ministries and government agencies, Kwakye Afreh Nuamah said with the exception of the Works and Housing Ministry, all ministries he visited were closed to business.

Meanwhile Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has been touring some institutions to assess the impact of the strike.

“Just assessing what their needs may be…because essential services are very important and critical to government so if we have to work out an emergency response initiative, we will be advised by what is on the ground.” Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com| Isaac Essel | [email protected] | twitter @isaacessel

body-container-line