General News of Friday, 16 May 2014

Source: xyz

Labour experts divided on NAGRAT and POTAG strikes

Some labour analysts seemed divided on who is to blame for the ongoing strike embarked on by graduate teachers and polytechnic lecturers.

More branches of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) have joined the Ashanti regional branch to embark on strike.

They are protesting their conditions of service and what they call the refusal of government to take their concerns seriously.

The education ministry has declared their strike illegal.

Polytechnic lecturers have also laid down their tools since Thursday.

The education ministry is yet to engage the striking teachers to resolve their concerns.

Meanwhile labour analysts are divided on the ongoing strike and who ought to take the responsibility for the current industrial action.

For former Public Relations Officer of the national labour commission, Mohammed Affum told XYZ News that government appeared to be losing it when it comes to negotiating with agitated workers.

He says government must revise its strategies in addressing concerns of concerned workers.

But labour consultant, Senyo Adjabeng also told XYZ News he believes labour unions must resist from resorting to strikes when negotiations don’t go their way.