TUC accuses labour institutions of shirking responsibility

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), has accused institutions responsible for dealing with labour concerns of shirking their responsibility.

The Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Asamoah, who led a delegation of striking teacher unions in a meeting with Presiden Mahama on Monday, blamed the impasse between the teachers' unions and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FSWC), on the failure of institutions mandated to address Labour concerns.

“Issues that need prompt attention are not given the desired attention, institutions and individuals who have the mandate to resolve such issues do not do so until it degenerates, creating the impression that it is only when workers embark on strike that attempts are made to resolve [labour] disputes,” he noted.

Appealing to the striking teachers to allow government time to address their concerns, President Mahama demanded a greater level of efficiency and proactiveness from Labour institutions to forestall labour agitations as the ongoing strike threaten the smooth conduct of the 2013 WASSCE.

President Mahama however expressed his appreciation at the collective decision of the Teacher unions, Ministry of Education and the T.U.C. to call off the strike while negotiations continued.

He however cautioned the striking teachers not to be over demanding, but allow government time to address their concerns.

The president also called on the public sector to ensure the diligent discharge of their duties for optimal performance to justify remuneration.

Reiterating the TUC Secretary General’s charge against labour institutions, President Mahama lamented the accusation that some recruited teachers whose data had not been captured in the Ghana Education Service database in spite of the fact that staff are being paid to do that.

The teachers had embarked on the industial action to protest better working conditions.