The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) is urging government to immediately open dialogue with key stakeholders to avert potential industrial unrest.
At a TEWU of TUC-Ghana and PUM Netherlands workshop on Social Dialogue, on February 26, TEWU’s General Secretary, King James Azortibah stressed the need for constructive engagement, warning that failure to prioritise discussions could trigger further strike action across the sector.
“Whenever we go for negotiations, our partners see us as rivals, but we are not,” Azortibah said. “We want a social dialogue that will promote a peaceful industrial climate.”
His remarks come amid growing tensions on the labour front. More than five strike actions have been recorded in the early months of the year alone, with most disputes linked to the non-implementation of agreed conditions of service. Labour unions have repeatedly criticised government for what they describe as delays and inaction, a situation that has heightened anxiety across several sectors.
TEWU, which represents more than 36,000 members nationwide, says the ongoing challenges have placed considerable pressure on its leadership and membership. The Union has consistently voiced dissatisfaction over its conditions of service and what it calls a lack of meaningful engagement with authorities.
In response, TEWU has convened meetings with government officials and other stakeholders in a renewed push for effective social dialogue aimed at preventing further industrial action.
Chairperson of TEWU, Salamatu Braimah underscored the Union’s preference for negotiation over confrontation.
“We are engaging our stakeholders and government on our conditions of service, and we want to adopt dialogue. We want to avoid the strikes,” Braimah stated.
With tensions simmering, the Union maintains that swift and sincere engagement remains the surest path to industrial harmony.
