Old payment structure is responsible for many strikes-NAGRAT





NAGRAT says until measures are taken to reform the existing public service pay structure, the persistent labour agitations disrupting the economy will continue.

A former vice President of The National Association of Graduate Teachers, (NAGRAT), Angel Gabriel Kabornu, made the remarks at the maiden Joy FM Labour Forum, Wednesday, noting the current structure creates disparities.

He maintains that remuneration should be based on job evaluation premised on set targets and achieved results, not on the evaluators’ perceived indicators.

“Have you [evaluators] valued my job to put in the structures to ensure that the job you valued is exactly what I do, taking into consideration the number of hours I’m supposed to work with the students…Or you valued my job in what you think my job is supposed to be?”, he quizzed.

The country has recently been hit by series of strikes by several public institutions including NAGRAT, Government Pharmaceutical Society and now the University Teachers Association of Ghana,(UTAG)agitating over non-payment of salary arrears.

Assuring all of the autonomy of the National Labour Commission,(NLC) at the forum, Labour expert, Austin Gamey appealed to striking UTAG members to have confidence in the National Labour Commission to resolve their grievances without resorting to strikes.

“The NLC is not an appendage of government, because the players there were sent by organised labour, employers and government under the tripartite arrangement. I want to appeal that your genuine cases must be approached rightly” he noted.

Meanwhile, Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association has given notice of its intended strike action next week Monday, following the bluff of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission daring them to go to court.

The association is demanding implementation of the Labour Commission’s ruling by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to pay its members their market premiums.

Speaking to Joy News, President of the Association, Stephen Corquaye, said the prolonged labour dispute over 18 months is as a result of the failure of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to act “expeditiously regarding essential service providers” like the pharmacists as prescribed by the Labour Law.