The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union of Trade Union Congress, Ghana (TEWU of TUC, GH), has made a passionate appeal for better pay for workers.

In a Workers’ Day message, TEWU General Secretary, Comrade King James Azortibah, said Ghanaian workers are putting in all their best to keep the economy going, hence, the need for them to receive remuneration commensurate to their contributions to nation-building.

“The government must improve the remuneration for our people,” he said.

Comrade Azortibah further noted that it is the hope of every Ghanaian worker to retire and enjoy a decent pension in peace.

“It is very worrying to say that since 2020, when the first batch of retirees under the new pension scheme retired, what was paid them as a lump sum is nothing to write home about,” he said.

He indicated that the payment of the lump sum is the same as those who also retired after them to date.

“One area contributing to this meagre lump sum our compatriots are receiving under the new pension scheme, is the delay paying the fund managers regularly, so that they can invest appropriately to improve the investment returns to be paid when people retire,” he said.

He appealed to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) to promptly remit the unions with the dues deductions, in accordance with the law, to keep the union activities running smoothly.

“The over three months delays in releasing dues deductions by the CAGD, is a major challenge, which we expect to stop immediately,” he said.

Comrade Azortibah raised further concerns about shortages of non-teaching staff, and the urgent need to recruit more staff.

According to him, with the government’s flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, enrolment has gone up thereby putting pressure on the non-teaching personnel.

“The shortage of staff is really making our members to overwork themselves, which come with the attendant health challenges.

“We call on the Ministry of Finance to as a matter of urgency, issue financial clearance for the recruitment of more non-teaching staff to fill the ever-increasing vacancies in the various educational institutions,” he said.

He also noted that the negotiations to conclude conditions of service for TEWU members in the universities and allied institutions should be given the desired attention by government and its agencies, in order to ensure conducive working environment in universities.

“The leadership of the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union, TEWU of TUC Ghana, also prays for peaceful electioneering in December 2024. Ghanaian workers and the citizens need peace to contribute their quota to national development,” he said.