Labour Commission blames gov’t for UTAG strike

National Labour Commission has faulted government for provoking the indefinite strike embarked upon by the University Teachers Association of Ghana, UTAG.

The Commission on Wednesday met UTAG, Ministry of Education, National Council for Tertiary Education and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission over the UTAG strike.

At the end of deliberations, the Labour Commission said that it considers the move by the Ministry of Education to meet UTAG at a time their dispute had been referred to voluntary arbitration as interference in the procedure, an action the commission believes might have provoked the UTAG strike.

A statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, Dr Mrs Bernice Welbeck also accused the two parties of playing a role in the current quagmire in which they find themselves.

It adds that having appeared before the Commission, the two sides have agreed to continue with the voluntary arbitration process in accordance with Act 651.

In view of this, the statement said, the status quo remains. It further bars the parties from resorting to the media while the dispute is under arbitration.