The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is considering directing the Ministry of Finance and Controller and Accountant General to withhold the salaries of striking polytechnic teachers for the number of days they have been out of the classroom. The Commission took the decision after negotiation with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) ended in a deadlock on Friday. POTAG turn down Fair Wages’ offer of a market premium of 90 percent demanding a 125 percent salary increment to make them at par with University teachers. But the Ministry of Finance fears meeting such a demand would create distortion in the system and ignite further agitation in other areas of the public sector. Even though POTAG followed due process; the Commission says the strike is illegal. POTAG has taken an entrenched position not to call off its nationwide strike until its demands are met. Public Relations Officer at the NLC, Mohammed Affum in an interview with Joy News’ Dzifa Bampo agreed with the Fair Wages Commission. He stated emphatically that “if a worker goes on strike, he has not work therefore does not earn his wage. The law even states that if workers go on a legal strike, they did not work during the duration of the strike [therefore] are not entitled to their salaries”. The labour expert said the Commission also has an option of referring the matter to compulsory arbitration if after seven days the situation still persists.