The Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) have announced their intention to embark on industrial action on August 9, 2024, if their demands regarding unpaid allowances are not met by the government.

In a joint press release, the unions recalled that on June 10, 2024, they notified the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission of Ghana of their grievances concerning the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances. They threatened industrial action if these issues were not resolved by June 21, 2024.

Following a hearing by the National Labour Commission on June 19, 2024, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission engaged with the unions, resulting in an agreement and an addendum being signed. The Commission then wrote to the Ministry of Finance, requesting the release of funds for payment. However, the Ministry has yet to issue the necessary authorization letter, despite multiple engagements by the unions.

Universities on government subvention have received payments, including arrears, while those directly on the Controller and Accountant General’s payroll have not. Furthermore, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has instructed universities not to pay the new rate until the Ministry releases the authorization letter, causing delays even for those who were receiving the new rate.

The unions accuse the government of employing Machiavellian tactics to deny them their agreed-upon allowances and have given the Ministry of Finance until the close of business on August 8, 2024, to issue the authorization letter. Failure to do so will result in the unions initiating industrial action the following day.

“The SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU (TUC) are committed to fighting for the rights of our members and will not rest until justice is served,” the statement read.