Group declares nationwide strike

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has declared a nationwide strike effective Wednesday, July 27, to demand the payment of its members’ interim premium.

The over fifty thousand CLOGSAG members would be out of work following government’s refusal to pay them some allowances

According to the association, they have been left out of the payment of their interim premium while other public officials continue to benefit from it.

Though government has indicated it is doing everything to maintain the serenity of the industrial sector in the country, Public Relations Officer of CLOGSAG, Eddy Acquaye said government has shown no commitment in responding to their demands.

Speaking in an interview with Mr Acquaye said they will stay away from work until their demands are met.

“We are staying home till our demands are met. If only government can work without is then they should ignore us” he said.

CLOGSAG revealed that several petitions to the Ministry of Employment and Labour relations, as well as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission over the same matter, have proved futile.

A national executive member of CLOGSAG, Ernest Tagoe, announced the strike at a press conference in Tamale on Tuesday, July 26.

The term "Interim Premium" was given to all the new allowances created during the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) pending the approval of market premium. This took place after the government issued a white paper on guidelines on implementation, but members of CLOGSAG have been left out

Mr Tagoe also expressed worry about a statement made by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission that in determining the skills that qualified one for a market premium, the sub-committee focused on the health and education sectors, as these formed the priority areas of government.