The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), will next week take a decision on whether or not to comply with the National Labour Commission’s directive to end the ongoing strike.
The GNAT Council of Elders is expected to meet on Monday, March 25, 2013, to deliberate on the next line of action following a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC), ordering the te4achers to end their nationwide strike.
The NLC last Tuesday issued its first directive to the teachers to call off their action while negotiations continued but the leadership of GNAT and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) rejected the ruling.
The NLC, which has the powers of the High Court has an option to go to court to enforce its ruling but it is unclear if the Commission will invoke that power.
Head of Salaries at GNAT, Benjamin Kwabena Osei told Joy News the teachers’ body would have to communicate the NLC’s directive to its various Councils.
“The directive was served on all teachers in Ghana who are on strike and the teachers have a structure on reporting.
“We have not said anywhere that we will not comply but we will use our systems to get to [our members]. If they decide not to comply then the Labour Commission has the right to go to court,” Mr. Osei stated.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Education is still appealing to the teachers to call of the strike while negotiations continue.
Paul Krampah, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry said it was only proper that the teachers returned to the classroom.
Story by Ghana/Myjoyonline.com/Jerry Tsatro Mordy