We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.
The workers assert that the denial of the allowance is placing a significant financial strain on them.
The striking institutions include the Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, Ghana Meteorological Services Department, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana AIDS Commission, Ghana Airports Company, and the Audit Service of Ghana. They are demanding the allowance in two parts: the Government Support Services Allowance and the Public Services Administration and Equity Allowance.
Despite a series of engagements between the union leadership and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, which acted as the government’s negotiator, no satisfactory resolution was reached.
On Monday, a news team visited some of the striking institutions. At the Electoral Commission, the country’s election management body, the strike was fully observed, with all supporting staff and senior members of the union staying away from work.
Private security guards and janitors constituted the major workforce on the premises during the news team’s visit. Members of the public who attempted to engage with the Commission were turned away, and security at the premises remained tight.
The impact of the strike was also evident at the Ghana News Agency, which has two unions: the Public Services Workers Union and the Communication Workers Union.
The Communication Workers Union held down the fort at the Ghana News Agency while their colleagues in the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) continued their strike to demand their allowance.
The situation was similar at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), where journalists in the radio and TV newsrooms were present, but staff in other departments were absent.
The union leadership remains steadfast in its decision, despite calls from some government officials on Monday to end the strike. The union insists they will not back down on their demands until the government addresses the concerns of their members.
Deputy General Secretary of the Public Services Workers Union, John Nii Donu Sampah, expressed confidence that more unions would join in solidarity if the government delays action. Speaking to 3news.com, he stated, “Some government officials have begun reaching out to the leaders of our union to call off the strike, but we have not yet reached a point where we can say we have agreed. There will be further engagements to outline the way forward.
If the government refuses to heed our demands, the workers will not return to work.”
