The National Labour Commission (NLC) has urged the Employment Ministry, Education Ministry, Ghana Education Service (GES), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and relevant stakeholders to immediately engage striking teacher unions.

A statement issued by the NLC on July 4 gave the government a seven-day period to address the concerns of the unions and furnish it with a report.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) announced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.

Among other things, these unions are demanding that their 20% basic salary be paid to them in addition to their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

They have argued that payment of the COLA would go a long way to mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living.

“You are hereby requested to engage the aggrieved teacher unions immediately upon receipt of this correspondence to negotiate settlement of their grievances within seven days and furnish the Commission with a report upon completion.

“With this intervention, we urge the teacher unions to rescind the decision and discontinue the strike to pave way for the process of engagement to ensue. By copies of this letter, the teacher unions – GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU, CCT-GH – are accordingly advised,” NLC said.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service has directed Heads of Senior High Schools through the Regional and District Directors to mobilise their Management teams to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students in schools.

In a press statement, the GES noted that it has invited the leadership of the unions to a meeting to discuss the development and the way forward.

It further indicated that Regional and District Directors have been directed to ensure that all basic schools remain open, and children who report to school are closely supervised.

“Meanwhile, parents are advised to remain calm and be assured that Management is closely monitoring the situation and will advise on the way forward accordingly.”