Partners agree that TEWU strike be called off

Accra, July 3, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) and Ghana Education Service (GES) on Thursday agreed that the industrial action by TEWU members in the GES should be called off. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) released in Accra said the decision was agreed at a meeting held by the social partners on Thursday.

The MOU said it was agreed that a two-man committee of the GES Council shall pursue the mandate for negotiating the review of conditions of service for the non-teaching staff of GES. The MOU was signed by the sector Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Deputy Director General of GES, Ms Lydia Osei and the General Secretary of TEWU, Mr Dan Ayim Antwi. It said a four-man committee from the Ministry, GES, TEWU and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning would liaise with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to expedite the release of funds for the payment of outstanding salary distortions and disparities and responsibility allowance.

"The management of GES shall expedite action on the payment of other outstanding allowances and refund of medical expenses." The MOU said a meeting of the Joint Standing Negotiating Committee has been scheduled for July 18 by which date, it is hoped, funds would have been made available for meeting the financial commitments. TEWU members of the GES have been on strike, complaining about payment of outstanding allowances and refund of medical expenses, among other things.