The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has been urged by the majority caucus in Parliament to consider the plight of students and return to work.
The High Court on Tuesday ordered UTAG to halt its strike for the time being while their demands are being discussed.
However, the Association stated that it was awaiting legal advice on the court ruling and has not yet suspended the action.
The Education Committee of Parliament will meet with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the National Labour Commission later today, Thursday, February 17, 2022, to discuss the university lecturers’ long-running strike.
It is yet to call off the strike despite the order from the court.
Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said though it was their right to demand their due, UTAG should go back to work.
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“UTAG has every legitimate right to demand what is theirs. At the same time, we are pleading with them to balance that demand with the plight of our students so that the academic calendar is not duly affected. The Majority caucus is accordingly humbly pleading with UTAG to return to the classrooms at same time urging government to exercise good faith, cooperate and ensure that it meets on consensus with the demand of UTAG so that this matter is dealt with once and for all.”
UTAG has been on strike demanding improved working conditions. but not even assurances by the government and court orders secured by the National Labour Commission will not compel the striking lectures to back down.
Gov’t to blame for prolonged action
Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee in Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak, had earlier backed the insistence of UTAG not to return to the lecture halls until their demands are met.
He says the decision of the union not to call off its six-week-old industrial action is borne out of bad faith exhibited by the government in the past over similar concerns about conditions of service in previous years.
