TEWU gives ultimatum on payment of retention premium allowance

Accra, Sept. 20, GNA – The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) on Tuesday said it would advise itself if the payment of the 15 per cent retention premium to non-teaching personnel of the Ghana Education Service is not effected to by Thursday, September 22.

The TEWU contended that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) was intentionally delaying the process by defying request of the National Labour Commission (NLC) and called for the immediate intervention of the NLC.

In a letter dated September 16, 2011, signed by Mr M.S. Bogobiri, General Secretary of TEWU, to the NLC said, “We are writing to serve notice that if by 22nd September, 2011, seven (7) days from the date of this letter, as stipulated in paragraphs 159 and 160 of the Labour Act , 2003(651) and to caution that if payment of the 15 per cent retention premium is not made to the non-teaching personnel by Thursday, September 22, we shall advise ourselves”.

“We refer to our letter No TEWU/02/012/208, dated 12th August, 2011 complaining about the uncooperative attitude of the FWSC and the your (NLC) subsequent response under cover of your letter No. NLC/C-400/2011/19B, dated 17th August, 2011.

”In that letter you (NLC) gave the FWSC to respond to the complaint within fourteen (14) working days within which to respond to our complain.

“It is our considered view that the FWSC is intentionally delaying the process by defying your request.”

In an initial letter to the NLC, dated 12th August, 2011, TEWU wrote: “We write to complain about the uncooperative attitude of FWSC towards our Union in the payment of the 15 per cent retention premium to our members, the non-teaching staff of Ghana Education Service (GES).”

It said, “The FWSC has refused to arrange for payment of the 15 per cent retention premium to 11 Classes of the non-teaching staff for whom FWSC and TEWU have since May, 2011 agreed to be paid.

“Also, the FWSC has since May 2011 failed to resume negotiation with TEWU on payment of the retention premium to the remaining 11 Classes.”