Central Regional CLOSAG embark on peaceful demonstration

Cape Coast, August 24, GNA- The Central Regional branch of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) on Tuesday embarked on a three-hour peaceful demonstration to back their demands for better conditions of service.

The members, who wore red head and arm bands, carried placards that read among others; "CLOGSAG members are professionals so they deserve professional allowances", "CLOGSAG has capacity to negotiate", "Our managers' salaries cannot meet the increased utility charges" and "We deserve fair treatment from Fair Wages Commission".

The chairman of the Central Regional CLOSAG, Mr. Theophilus Ribeiro, expressed disappointment to newsmen after the demonstration that the Fair Wages Commission was either challenging or violating the right of CLOGSAG to negotiate for the economic and social interest of its members as legitimized in the public service law 1992, (PNDC 309) and promulgated by the PNDC government in line with ILO Labour Conventions.

Mr. Ribeiro said "CLOSAG is at a loss at the posture of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission stalling salary negotiations on the grounds that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and 'Organized Labour' excluding CLOGSAG have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form Joint Standing Negotiation Committee".

He therefore said CLOGAG does not accept "this agreement because it was not a party to the MOU and that the MOU may be binding on those institutions that are signatories".

Mr. Ribeiro appealed to the government to respect the negotiating right of CLOGSAG and also see it as paramount because denying it the chance to negotiate is an infringement on their fundamental human rights.

He said on Thursday, July 8, this year, the members presented a petition to the Mayor of Cape Coast, Mr. Anthony Egyir Aikins at the offices of the Regional Coordinating Council for onward submission to the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills but CLOGSAG has heard nothing about it.

He said the CLGSAG will continue to hold series of demonstrations until the issued was resolved.