Researchers embark on strike action

Accra (Greater Accra), 9 March ?99- Members of the Research Staff Association (RSA) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on Monday embarked on a strike action demanding an increment in their Enhanced Book Allowance (EBA).

Mr Patrick Ofori-Danson, national president of the Association, told reporters that all efforts made by RSA, over the past three years, to get government to honour the payment of the book allowance, which is currently being enjoyed by its colleagues in the universities and polytechnics, have proved futile. He said "RSA members of the CSIR are demanding for an increment in the EBA from 100 dollars a year plus 80,000 cedis every month as research allowance to 650 dollars a year."

Mr Ofori-Danson said researchers need to update their knowledge by belonging to international professional associations to enable them get access to information on science and technology. "Our colleagues in the universities are now receiving 600 dollars a year as their book allowance". Mr Ofori-Danson said Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister of Environment Science and Technology (MEST) told the Association at an emergency meeting on March five that the book allowance was meant for only teachers doing research. "Meaning that RSA is not to benefit from this allowance but we need to update our knowledge and be members of international professional associations for more information on science and technology. "Our colleagues in the universities and the polytechnics are receiving 600 and 500 dollars respectively as their allowance, while we are receiving 100 dollars plus 80, 000 cedis as our research allowance, which is too small''. Mr Ofori-Danson said the minister asked them to extend their time to June to enable him to study the issue so that he will be able to convince cabinet at its next sitting. "We need to convey this to our colleagues for them to decide whether they will accept or continue with the strike. "There will be an emergency consultative meeting at Kumasi on Wednesday to discuss the minister's plea, meanwhile the strike action continues".