The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Haruna Iddrisu has promised that government will do its best to resolve the grievances of members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG).

He, therefore, asked them to exercise restraint as the government works round the clock to meet their demands.

CLOGSAG yesterday (Wednesday) threatened a nationwide strike if the government failed to pay them their market premium. The Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Dr Bampoe Addo, who announced at a press conference, said the industrial action would begin on July 27, 2016.

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But the minister said, “government is doing everything to maintain the serenity of the industrial atmosphere in the country and to maintain industrial peace and harmony even while we address the concerns of the two major categories of workers in the country.”

He also revealed that CLOGSAG had petitioned his Ministry and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission over the same matter. He indicated that the “matter had been referred to the Grievances Committee of the board of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.”

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He explained that the issue had been referred to the appropriate committee to look into it. “The subcommittee which is looking at market premiums relative to all categories of workers in the country will engage CLOSSAG in the course of this week and submit a report to me for onward submission for government’s considerations,” the minister added.

However, Dr Bampoe Addo has reiterated their stance, saying they will only rescind their decision if the government meets their demand.