Over 27,000 public service workers have initiated an indefinite strike due to the government’s failure to pay specific allowances for their respective institutions. The workers argue that the denial of these allowances is placing significant financial strain on them.
The institutions involved include the Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, Ghana Meteorological Services, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana AIDS Commission, Ghana Airports Company, and Audit Service of Ghana.
They are demanding two types of allowances: the Government Support Services Allowance and the Public Services Administration and Equity Allowance.
Despite several discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, which is acting as the government’s negotiator, no satisfactory resolution has been reached.
On Monday, a news team visited various striking institutions. At the Electoral Commission, the strike was fully effective, with all supporting staff and senior members of the union absent from work.
Private security guards and janitors were the only staff present, while members of the public attempting to engage with the Commission were turned away.
The strike’s impact was also evident at the Ghana News Agency, where two unions operate: the Public Services Workers Union and the Communication Workers Union. The Communication Workers Union maintained operations while the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) members were on strike.
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) saw journalists in the radio and TV newsrooms present, but many staff members from other departments were absent.
The union leadership remains firm in their decision, despite government officials calling for the strike to end.
Deputy General Secretary of the PSWU, John Nii Donu Sampah, stated that more unions might join the strike if the government does not respond promptly.
He confirmed that while some officials have contacted union leaders to persuade them to call off the strike, the union is committed to continued engagement until their demands are met.
Sampah warned that without government action, the workers would not return to their duties.
