The National Association Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has hinted of plans to demand salary increment for its members.
According to NAGRAT, the recent increases in utility tariffs, introduction of new taxes and petroleum price hikes, justify their call for salary increase to help them cope with the hard times.
[contextly_sidebar id=”rxx91hZuKjIi7smy70Jy4x1XLp1rPejy”]Government in December 2015 sanctioned a 59.2 percent increment for electricity and 67.2 percent for water.
It also in January 2015 increased prices of fuel by 27 percent.
Many Ghanaians have condemned the prices hikes calling on government to rescind the decision.
In an interview with Citi News, the President of NAGRAT, Christian Addai- Poku said the 10 percent increment in their earnings last year, is woefully inadequate in the face of recent rise in cost of living.
“At the time we negotiated the 10 percent increase we didn’t anticipate increases in other items and cost of living to this magnitude. Now that this is happening NAGRAT will talk to Organized Labour… What we as a union will want to do is that we want to place on the table of Organized Labour for discussion and if we all agree that it is laudable that we ask for renegotiation on what we agreed upon, fine, or at least we can negotiate the cost of living allowance to alleviate our suffering,” he added.
In a related development, Organised labour is pushing for a 50 percent increase in salaries for public workers due to the introduction of new taxes and increases in utility bills.
A meeting between government and the various unions on Tuesday hit a deadlock after government refused to reduce utility tariffs.
Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), Isaac Bampoe Addo, in an interview with Citi News on Tuesday also stated that the constant increases will worsen the life of the Ghanaian worker and demanded an increase in salaries.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana